David Farrar: Luxon in India

Luke Malpass writes:

The day began with a meeting with Modi, hugs and general admiration, and ended with Luxon delivering the best speech he has made in many months, followed by an informal mixer with the business and community delegations at the New Zealand High Commission.

Luxon’s speech to the Raisina Dialogue was a long affair, but was lofty and global in tone and was well delivered, weaving between the bilateral relationship. It was about the changing world where security is likely to trump economics and in which protectionism and the rise of AI will affect everything. …

All the reports indicate a very successful trip, with the bonus of an agreement to start negotiating a free trade agreement.

Some facts about India:

• Largest population on Earth – over 1.4 billion

• 5th largest economy – US4 trillion

• Average GDP growth of 5.8% over last 20 years

• Annual exports and imports between NZ and India are only $1.5 billion each way, most being travel related

David Farrar runs Curia Market Research, a specialist opinion polling and research agency, and the popular Kiwiblog where this article was sourced. He previously worked in the Parliament for eight years, serving two National Party Prime Ministers and three Opposition Leaders.