New Zealand and Australia are looking to expand their economic partnerships with India as the Indo-Pacific countries pursue new opportunities in trade, critical minerals, clean energy, technology, education and agriculture.
Senior representatives from the two countries outlined their ambitions at the Confederation of Indian Industry’s seventh Global Trade Scenario conference in Mumbai.
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Consul General Graham Rouse said the upgraded India–New Zealand strategic partnership had established a target of doubling bilateral trade over the next three years.
Rouse said the goal was achievable, noting that trade between the two countries had already doubled during the previous three-year period—even without a free trade agreement in effect.
India and New Zealand signed an FTA in New Delhi on April 27, 2026. The agreement is undergoing the domestic legal procedures required before it can enter into force. Annual two-way trade currently stands at approximately NZD 3.95 billion, according to New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Businesses in both countries are now preparing to benefit from the improved market access and lower trade barriers expected under the agreement.
Rouse said New Zealand companies could build stronger partnerships with India’s micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly where businesses share comparable scales, commercial values and long-term objectives.
“At these times, the most important thing is trusted friends, and we have shown—both India and New Zealand have shown—that we are trusted friends for each other,” he said.
Agricultural technology was identified as one of the most promising areas for cooperation.
Rouse cited the substantial difference in apple productivity between the two countries, saying New Zealand produces about 50 tonnes per hectare compared with approximately eight tonnes per hectare in India. Cooperation in technology, orchard management and production practices could help India increase yields, while the countries’ different harvesting seasons could create complementary trading opportunities.
The figures in the original syndicated report—50,000 and 8,000 “tonnes per hectare”—appear to have been incorrectly stated and should be understood as kilograms per hectare, equivalent to 50 and eight tonnes respectively.
Space technology is another emerging area of cooperation, with Rouse pointing to existing technological links and the potential for closer collaboration between companies and institutions in both countries.
Australia is similarly seeking a significant expansion of its economic relationship with India.
Australian Consul General in Mumbai Paul Murphy said bilateral trade was currently valued at around USD 50 billion, with the two countries targeting USD 100 billion by 2030.
Australia sees considerable opportunities in renewable energy, critical minerals, education, financial services and electric-vehicle supply chains.
As one of the world’s leading lithium producers, Australia is seeking to supply the resources needed to support India’s transition towards electric mobility and clean energy. Murphy said Australian mineral suppliers could work with Indian manufacturers as India moves into higher-value areas of global production and supply chains.
The partnership could enable Australia to supply critical raw materials while India develops greater capacity in mineral processing, battery production, electric vehicles and advanced manufacturing.
Education also remains a major pillar of the Australia–India relationship. Australian universities are expanding their presence in India, including through operations in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City, commonly known as GIFT City.
Australian financial institutions are also exploring opportunities in the international financial services hub.
“We’re very optimistic, and I think that we’ll see this deepen and broaden over time,” Murphy said, adding that both governments were working to facilitate greater commercial and institutional cooperation.
Sports technology has emerged as another potential growth area. An Australian sports technology and industry delegation is expected to visit Mumbai in December to explore partnerships with Indian companies and sporting organisations.
The expanding partnerships reflect India’s growing economic and strategic importance to both Australia and New Zealand. They also demonstrate a broader shift towards trusted supply chains and technology partnerships among Indo-Pacific countries amid increasing uncertainty in the global trading system. (Source: tribuneindia)
