Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India is a launch pad for global growth during a business event in Auckland, New Zealand, last month.
The visit signals a strategic effort by India to diversify its international investment partnerships and secure high-tech cooperation. By framing the Indian economy as a springboard rather than a destination, Modi aims to attract New Zealand firms into a deepening strategic partnership.
Speaking at the India-New Zealand Business and Sports Engagement event in June 2026, Modi said India is the world’s fastest-growing major economy [3]. He urged New Zealand businesses to invest in the country, citing policy stability and rapid digital transformation as primary drivers for growth.
"India is not just a market, it's a launch pad for global growth," Modi said.
Central to the diplomatic push is a new free-trade agreement. Modi said the agreement was negotiated in nine months [2] and will open fresh doors for technology, investment, and market access.
This agreement serves as a foundation for a broader economic roadmap. Both nations have set a target to double bilateral trade by 2030 [1]. The prime minister said the speed of the negotiations reflects a mutual desire to accelerate economic ties.
While Modi highlighted the nation's growth trajectory, other reports suggest a more complex picture. Some analysts have noted that India's appeal as the world's fastest-growing economy may be dimming for certain global investors, creating a tension between official government rhetoric and market sentiment.
“"India is not just a market, it's a launch pad for global growth."”
This diplomatic push reflects India's broader strategy to move beyond traditional trade relationships by positioning itself as a hub for global scalability. The aggressive timeline of the free-trade agreement and the 2030 trade target suggest a desire to institutionalize economic ties before global market volatility affects investor confidence.
