New Zealand Labour Party's Spokesperson Vanushi Walters Weighs In On PM Modi’s Upcoming Visit

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to arrive in Auckland for the final leg of his three-nation visit, the New Zealand Labour Party has signalled a unified stance in support of the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Speaking to ANI, Vanushi Walters, the Labour Party's spokesperson for Foreign Affairs, emphasised that the agreement represents a "significant milestone" in the burgeoning bilateral relationship, built on mutual respect and shared democratic values. "It's a firm commitment from New Zealand. It will take more than one government or one term of government for us to deliver on all of those obligations. That will be something that we need to hold very firmly to on both sides of the house," she said. Walters confirmed that the FTA holds bipartisan support, with both the National Party and the Labour Party committed to its successful implementation. "The most important thing for me as the Foreign Affairs spokesperson is to echo the Labour leaders' points that this government does have our full support in terms of the Free Trade Agreement going forward," she told ANI. She noted that this is the beginning of a new phase in the relationship between India and New Zealand and the conversations will centre around the commitment.