The Indian government has declared a free trade agreement with New Zealand will be signed later this month, but Trade Minister Todd McClay isn't getting ahead of himself, refusing to confirm it.
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi on Thursday, India's commerce and industry minister said his New Zealand trade counterpart, Todd McClay, would travel to India in late April to formalise the deal.
"We also had meetings with Mr Todd McClay … who will be coming to India in the fourth week of April, when we plan to sign the free trade agreement finalised with New Zealand," said Piyush Goyal, India's Commerce chief.
However, McClay on Tuesday refused to confirm such a timeline when asked by RNZ.
"India and New Zealand are working towards legal verification of the text and have been discussing what would be an appropriate time to sign," he said, adding it was a "very positive sign" that India was keen to move quickly.
Both ministers met late last month on the sidelines of the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation in Cameroon.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets his New Zealand counterpart, Christopher Luxon, in New Delhi in March 2025. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
The development came as India announced details around Prime Minister Narendra Modi's maiden visit to New Zealand.
While no official dates have been confirmed, RNZ understands planning is underway for a visit around the middle of the year.
New Zealand confirmed the conclusion of free trade negotiations with India in December, but coalition partner New Zealand First withheld its support.
The party invoked an "agree to disagree" clause in its coalition agreement with the National Party, with leader Winston Peters describing the deal as "neither free nor fair".
As a result, the government requires opposition backing to pass the agreement.
McClay said the government had been actively engaging with Labour on the deal, including meetings with trade spokesperson Damien O'Connor and providing access to officials for detailed briefings.
He said two Labour MPs had recently taken part in a four-hour session with officials to go through the details of Labour leader Chris Hipkins' latest correspondence, and a formal response from the government was expected later this week.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Hipkins told RNZ's Morning Report on Tuesday that he was still waiting for more information from the government regarding the trade agreement.
"We've been very clear of what our terms are, and the government thus far hasn't responded to those in detail," he said.
He also raised concerns about projections of a $33 billion investment in India over 15 years under the free trade deal, comparing it to about $1.5 billion invested in China under its agreement.
Whereas much of investment in China had been driven by Fonterra, the proposed India agreement excluded dairy.
Hipkins confirmed two Labour MPs had reviewed the agreement in detail and would consider the government's response to their queries this week.
Asked whether Labour would support the agreement ahead of a potential visit by Modi, Hipkins said the party would make its decision based on the merits of the deal rather than timing.
"We've to do the best thing for New Zealand based on the information that we're provided, and we should do that based on the timetable that requires rather than what lines up with the prime minister's photo opportunities," Hipkins said.
-By RNZ
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