Wellington: India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressing the Indian community in New Zealand has said that there are possibilities for increased cooperation between the two nations in various sectors like business, digital and education. “Stronger cooperation will ensure peace, prosperity and progress of our common region. Possibilities abound in business, digital, agriculture, education, skills, traditional medicine and maritime security domains,” Dr Jaishankar, wrapping up his first visit to New Zealand, tweeted.

While inaugurating the new Indian High Commission Chancery in Wellington in October, the minister said that the relationship between both countries is “due for an update”, and “due for refresh”. India is New Zealand’s 11th largest two-way trading partner with total two-way trade valued at $1.80 billion during the year ending September 2020. Education and tourism are New Zealand’s growth sectors with India.

The primary imports by India from New Zealand consist of logs and forestry products, wood pulp, wool and edible fruit & nuts. Indian exports to New Zealand mostly are pharmaceuticals/medications, precious metals and gems, textiles and motor vehicles and non-knitted apparel and accessories.

“The more sensible way of growing our relationship is really to play with each other’s strengths. We must find ways for doing more business because, at the end of the day, business is good for any relationship. For once if there is a strong business foundation to a business relationship, that relationship is truly strong and steady,” he said, inaugurating the new Indian High Commission Chancery in Wellington.