NEW DELHI: New Zealand is pursuing a free trade agreement (FTA) purposefully with India for which negotiations were launched earlier this year, visiting Deputy PM and foreign minister Winston Peters said Friday. Peters discussed with his counterpart S Jaishankar issues related to trade, economy, defence and security in a bilateral meeting, while unequivocally condemning the Pahalgam terrorist attack and expressing solidarity with the people of India.They also affirmed their shared commitment to a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.Speaking at the Ananta Centre later, Peters said that FTA talks were continuing with a real meaning now and described it as a breakthrough in economic ties with India. Differences remain over tariffs on dairy products though and the minister said he was aware of the concerns of the dairy industry in India.“Despite India’s economic scale, it remains our 12th largest partner in trade, accounting for just 1.5% of our exports. We are determined that we’re going to work to change that. Our strengths, from food and beverage products to agriculture, forestry, horticulture, education and tourism, are world-class. And our innovation in areas like outer space and renewable energy will find a welcome partner in India,” said Peters, describing India as an emerging geopolitical giant. Peters added, “we are not in it to enrich ourselves, we are in it to enrich both peoples”.Peters said that enhancing defence security with India remained a top priority in the Indo-Pacific.
