Christine Stevenson, chief executive and comptroller of the New Zealand Customs Service, holds the custom agreement. Photo: Supplied
New Zealand has signed a customs cooperation arrangement with India in a bid to bolster trade between the two countries.
The ratification of the agreement took place during Indian President Droupadi Murmu's three-day visit.
"President Droupadi Murmu held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Government House in Wellington," India's Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement on Thursday. "Discussions were held on [wide-ranging] issues, including customs co-operation, traditional medicine and renewable energy.
"India and New Zealand inked bilateral customs cooperation arrangement, which is expected to ease trade between the two countries.
"New Zealand also ratified the International Solar Alliance (ISA), paving [the] way for enhanced opportunities for joint research and development in this field.
"Both countries also agreed to exchange ... best practices in the field of traditional medicine through the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar [in the Indian state of Gujarat]."
Indian President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to New Zealand is an important milestone in the - relationship.
— Winston Peters (@NewZealandMFA) August 8, 2024
During the visit today:
- & signed a Customs Cooperation Arrangement; and
- delivered its Instrument of Ratification for the International Solar Alliance (ISA)… pic.twitter.com/RUdy1eH7UW
Peters later described Murmu's visit as "an important milestone in the India-New Zealand relationship" in a social media post on X (formerly Twitter).
"[New Zealand] delivered its Instrument of Ratification for the ISA Framework Agreement," he wrote. "The ISA is focused on cooperation on the efficient consumption of solar energy."
