New Zealand hails ‘breakthrough’ in trade talks with India, but no timeline for deal

NEW DELHI AP New Zealand s deputy prime minister revealed on Friday that talks over a free commerce agreement between his country and India were ongoing but he didn t provide a timeline for when the two nations could eventually sign a deal Winston Peters who is on a two-day visit to India revealed that the negotiations were going with real meaning now calling them a breakthrough in our economic relationship India and New Zealand began negotiations in March for a arrangement pact and had aimed to sign a deal in days The deal will significantly bolster economic ties between the two countries but it has faced delays because of differences over tariffs on dairy products Bilateral contract between India and New Zealand stood at billion in the - financial year Talks between India and New Zealand were taking place amid global bargain tensions after U S President Donald Trump s decision to impose now-paused reciprocal tariffs on imported goods from several countries including India Earlier this month India and the United Kingdom clinched a deal deal India is also engaged in transaction talks with Washington Peters who met with India s Group of emissary Amitabh Kant in New Delhi commented that India was New Zealand s th-largest partner in deal and we are determined that we re going to work to change that Our strengths from food and beverage products to agriculture forestry horticulture coaching and tourism are world class And our innovation in areas like outer space and renewable potential will find a welcoming partner in India he declared Peters disclosed that the relationship between the two countries extended to defense and prevention calling it a priority for New Zealand in the Indo-Pacific During a time of great uncertainty instability and disorder we have taken procedures to work more closely on matters of defense and measure with India he reported Source