00:00Now India's trend lines are nothing short of stunning.
00:05These words are not said here today to ingratiate ourselves with you.
00:10It simply is a fact.
00:12India's growth rate is well known to us and it's breathtaking.
00:17The fastest growing economy in the G20 and on track to be the world's third largest economy
00:23in the coming years.
00:26India's middle class is now almost half a billion strong.
00:30In the last decade alone, 250 million Indians have been lifted out of poverty.
00:37India's aviation industry has soared with the number of airports more than doubling to
00:42157 and a new highway network covering 95,000 kilometres, enough to drive between New Zealand
00:53and India eight times.
00:56Globally, India has cemented itself as a key player, hosting the D20 summit in 2023 and
01:04landing a spacecraft on the moon's south pole two years ago.
01:09Now India's trend lines are nothing short of stunning.
01:14These words are not said here today to ingratiate ourselves with you.
01:19It simply is a fact.
01:22India's growth rate is well known to us and it's breathtaking.
01:26The fastest growing economy in the D20 and on track to be the world's third largest economy
01:32in the coming years.
01:36India's middle class is now almost half a billion strong.
01:39In the last decade alone, 250 million Indians have been lifted out of poverty.
01:48India's aviation industry has soared with the number of airports more than doubling to 157
01:56and a new highway network covering 95,000 kilometres, enough to drive between New Zealand and India eight times.
02:06These are not mere statistics, they represent an extraordinary economic transformation.
02:16Globally, India has cemented itself as a key player, hosting the D20 summit in 2023 and landing a spacecraft on the moon's south pole two years ago, a testimony to its growing influence.
02:31For New Zealand, India represents immense untapped potential.
02:38Despite India's economic scale, it remains only our 12th largest partner in trade, accounting for just 1.5% of our exports.
02:50We are determined that we are going to work to change that.
02:57Our strengths from food and beverage products to agriculture, forestry, horticulture, education and tourism are world class.
03:07And our innovation in areas like outer space and renewable energy will find a welcoming partner in India.
03:15On the question of outer space, we are number three in putting rockets into space now.
03:20And not many people in India know that, or do I say it around the rest of the world, but it happens to be a fact.
03:27Earlier in this term, we clearly expressed our intent to build a deeper and broader relationship with India.
03:36But as Mahatma Gandhi said, and I quote, an ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching, end of quotes.
03:48So we have followed through with practical action to broaden our relationship.
03:53We have sought to increase the tempo and seniority of engagements between our politicians.
04:02Our first overseas visit outside our home region of Australia and the Pacific was to India, where we visited both Gujarat and New Delhi in March of 2024.
04:13The Trade Minister has visited India five times.
04:18And in March of this year, Prime Minister Luxon visited India on one of New Zealand's largest ever prime ministerial missions.
04:28And we enthusiastically welcomed India's President to New Zealand in August of 2024.
04:35And just recently, the Minister of State for External Affairs, Margarita.
04:40Since the foreign policy reset, we've made concrete strides.
04:45We've launched negotiations on a comprehensive free trade agreement, a breakthrough in our economic relationship.
04:52But even more than that milestone, we have put in place measures to deepen the economic relationship,
05:01with new arrangements in horticulture, forestry and education also recently finalised.
05:07Additionally, we have seen a memorandum of understanding signed between Air New Zealand and Air India,
05:14to explore a codeshare agreement on 16 routes across India, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.
05:22This will make travel between our nations easier, boosting tourism, education and business connections.
05:29But our relationship with India goes well beyond economic ties.
05:34It extends to defence and security, a priority for New Zealand in the Indo-Pacific.
05:43In an emerging multipolar world, India is evolving into a geopolitical giant,
05:50an indispensable security actor in both regional and global spheres.
05:56During a time, ladies and gentlemen, of great uncertainty, instability and disorder,
06:02we have taken steps to work more closely on matters of defence and security with India.
06:08A recently signed defence cooperation arrangement will facilitate closer links between our militaries.
06:15Meanwhile, we have taken practical steps to work closely together with this country and New Zealand.
06:27The New Zealand Navy is leading combined Task Force 150, charged with securing trade routes,
06:32encountering terrorism, smuggling and piracy in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden.
06:38India's involvement in this mission as the Deputy Commander of the Task Force
06:42underscores the growing closeness of our defence ties.
06:46The Task Force has already had some serious real impact,
06:50disrupting the trade of 600 million worth of illegal drugs so far.
06:56Now, with tensions arising in the Indo-Pacific,
06:59it's crucial for New Zealand to work hand-in-hand with India and other like-minded partners
07:05to ensure the region remains free and open.
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