India-New Zealand Sign Bilateral Customs Cooperation Agreement

India and New Zealand have signed a Bilateral Customs Cooperation Arrangement to facilitate easier trade between the two nations. The agreement was formalized in Wellington on 8 August 2024 during President Droupadi Murmu’s official visit to New Zealand.

President Murmu’s Visit Highlights

Itinerary: President Droupadi Murmu is on a three-nation tour including Fiji, New Zealand, and Timor Leste. Her visit to New Zealand occurred on 8 and 9 August.

Previous Visits: The last Indian President to visit New Zealand was Pranab Mukherjee in May 2016.

Welcome Ceremony: President Murmu received a traditional Maori welcome in Wellington.

Formal Meetings: She was officially welcomed by New Zealand’s Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro and met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters. Discussions included exchanging best practices in traditional medicine through the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

Conference Address: The President addressed the New Zealand International Education Conference where India was the Guest of Honour.

India-New Zealand Relations

Diplomatic History: India established a Trade Mission in New Zealand in 1950, which was later upgraded to a High Commission.

Trade Statistics: India is New Zealand’s 15th largest trading partner with a trade value of US$1.56 billion as of June 2023.

Imports: Wool, edible fruits & nuts, forestry products.

Exports: Precious metals and gems, textiles, motor vehicles, pharmaceuticals, and non-knitted apparel.

About New Zealand

Location: An archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, one of the most remote inhabited areas on Earth.

Unique Species: Home to the flightless bird Kiwi.

Historical Milestone: Edmund Hillary, from New Zealand, was the first person to climb Mount Everest in 1953.

Indigenous Population: Maoris.

Independence: Gained from the United Kingdom in 1947, part of the Commonwealth.

Head of State: Represented by the UK Monarch, King Charles III.

Capital: Wellington

Currency: New Zealand Dollar

Prime Minister: Christopher Luxon