Labour leader Chris Hipkins is promising to lead a delegation to India within 100 days of forming a new government as he lays out how he plans to grow New Zealand's economy.
It beats a commitment from National leader Christopher Luxon to visit the economic powerhouse within a year of becoming Prime Minister.
India is rapidly becoming one of the globe's biggest economies, but free trade agreement (FTA) talks between New Zealand and India haven't borne any fruit. Last month, Trade Minister Damien O'Connor visited India for the second time in a year, saying one of his priorities was to grow two-way trade.
The Labour leader on Wednesday said after the Government secured deals with the UK and the EU, his next priority would be leading a delegation to India within 100 days of a new government.
"By seizing a global advantage in areas we have existing strengths, we'll grow our economy and create well-paying jobs that help Kiwi families get ahead," Hipkins said.
"These priorities reflect my values as a Kiwi. I'm proud of what this country stands for in the world and how the rest of the world looks at us. These values will drive how Labour supports Kiwis to get ahead."
He released a list of five key economic priorities for the next term:
- Grow an export-led economy with a strong global reputation
- Turn New Zealand into a Centre of Excellence for sustainable agriculture and agricultural technology
- Be a global leader in renewable energy
- Harness New Zealand's digital creativity and expertise
- Boost our premium tourism offering
Hipkins also announced he wanted to grow the agritech sector to $8 billion by 2030, including by injecting $100 million into the Venture Capital fund.
"This fund will invest in agritech businesses, including through their joint investment fund with Finistere Ventures developed through the Agritech ITP.
"New Zealand also has a huge opportunity to be a renewable energy powerhouse - using our position as a near 100 per cent renewable generator to sell our expertise and know-how to the world as countries seek to reach energy independence and build security against oil price shocks and global conflict.
"A strong digital economy allows us to leverage what Kiwis have to offer - no matter our geographic location, the time or place."
In April, Luxon said securing an FTA with India would be a "major strategic priority" if National was elected and he didn't believe New Zealand had done enough to invest in the relationship,
Two-way trade with India in the year to December 2022 was worth $2.35 billion compared to about $2.74 billion in the year to December 2017, after Labour came to office.
He said he expected his Foreign Affairs and Trade ministers to be "on the planes 365 days a year, hustling, building business for New Zealand", he said.
"It's important that actually there is so much connectivity between our two countries, there's so much opportunity for us to realise, I'm very confident that we can get a trade agreement with India in place."
FTA negotiations were launched between New Zealand and India in 2010. However, the last formal round of negotiations was in 2015. Former Prime Minister Sir John Key went to India in 2016 and got a commitment to working towards an FTA, but this has never come to fruition.
Last year, during a visit to New Zealand by India's External Affairs Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Kiwi Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta said an FTA wasn't a priority for either country. Dr Jaishankar said the focus should be on encouraging more business collaborations.
Agriculture has been a sticking point for the talks. Kiwi negotiators have been wanting to target high tariffs so New Zealand exports can be more competitive in the market, but domestic agricultural production is important in India.
