New Zealand PM Defends Indian FTA Ahead of Signing Next Week

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is urging bipartisan support for a free trade agreement with India and has hit back at racially slanted criticism of the deal from government coalition partner New Zealand First.

Legal verification of the FTA has been completed with both countries agreeing it will be signed on April 27 in New Delhi, Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay said earlier Monday in Wellington. The agreement was concluded in December and is expected to take 12 months after signing before it becomes law.