Modi arrives in New Zealand amid domestic backlash over free trade pact

WEB DESK: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in New Zealand on Friday to promote a newly signed free trade agreement, amid growing domestic political friction and anti-migrant rhetoric that has overshadowed the historic visit.

The trip, which is the first by an Indian prime minister to New Zealand in 40 years, comes at the tail end of a wider regional tour from July 6 to 11 that has included stops in Indonesia and Australia, according to AFP.

While New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has hailed the visit as a celebration of a “winning partnership,” the trade pact has exposed deep political divisions within his own governing coalition.

Coalition friction and racial rhetoric

The bilateral free trade deal, signed in April, was initially championed by PM Luxon as a major economic milestone that would boost exports, investment, and employment. However, the agreement has faced a pushback from coalition partners over provisions related to migration and visas.

A government minister representing the populist New Zealand First Party, Shane Jones, drew sharp criticism after publicly expressing opposition to the immigration clauses on a local radio show. His comments were swiftly condemned as racist by Indian community leaders.

The political row has coincided with a rise in targeted hostility toward New Zealand’s 300,000-strong Indian diaspora. Anthropologist Sita Venkateswar of Massey University noted that South Asians have increasingly become the primary targets of racially motivated incidents in the country, citing recent episodes of offensive graffiti and a controversial performance by an indigenous Maori activist directed at an Indian-born lawmaker.

Furthermore, prominent evangelical preacher Brian Tamaki sparked outrage after posting comments on social media accusing Modi of persecuting Christians in India. Tamaki urged retaliatory action against religious minorities and places of worship in New Zealand, drawing strong condemnation from the country’s race relations commissioner.

Diplomatic engagements and diaspora address

Despite the domestic controversy, the trade agreement is widely expected to secure parliamentary approval. During his brief 24-hour stay, Modi is scheduled to attend an official ceremony at Government House, followed by a business and sporting event in Auckland.

The centerpiece of the visit will be Modi’s address to an estimated 10,000 members of the Indian diaspora at Auckland’s Spark Arena.

In a statement ahead of the arrival, Luxon sought to project solidarity and focus on the strategic benefits of the relationship, reiterating that the partnership would deliver long-term security and economic prosperity for both nations.