Union Minister Agriculture Shivraj Singh Choushan Meets New Zealand Minister Todd Mcclay

Today, India's Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, held a high-level bilateral meeting with New Zealand's Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, Trade, and Associate Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Todd McClay, at Krishi Bhavan in New Delhi. The meeting was attended by a delegation from New Zealand and focused on mutual interests and potential areas of cooperation in the agricultural sector.

Discussion on Agricultural Development Between India and New Zealand:

During the meeting, both countries shared their agricultural priorities and explored new avenues for collaboration, including a proposed Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) on horticulture. The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the agricultural partnership between India and New Zealand, which has seen significant progress in recent years.

Emphasis on historical relations between India and New Zealand:

Minister Chouhan appreciated New Zealand's proactive efforts to strengthen ties with India and acknowledged the New Zealand government’s ongoing commitment to this relationship. He also highlighted the historical, business, and cultural connections between the two countries, particularly emphasizing the significant contributions of the Indian diaspora in New Zealand and the growing educational exchanges between the nations. The meeting was also attended by Mr. Patrick Rata, the High Commissioner of New Zealand to India, along with senior officials from both countries.

Boosting Indian Trade and Market Access:

The discussions led to several positive developments in trade and market access. New Zealand's support for the import of Indian pomegranates and the recent lifting of restrictions on mango exports were warmly welcomed. Minister Chouhan expressed hope for the swift approval of newly audited Vapor Heat Treatment (VHT) facilities in Lucknow and Delhi, which would further boost the export of Indian mangoes to New Zealand. Additionally, Minister McClay expressed gratitude for the resumption of pine log exports from New Zealand to India. Union Minister Chouhan reiterated India's commitment to continuing cooperation in this area and highlighted the potential for expanding trade in other agricultural products, including fresh fruits like oranges and bananas. He also stressed the need for early market access for Indian grapes in New Zealand.

The meeting underscored the importance of technical cooperation in research and development, particularly in horticulture and cage fisheries, recognizing the vast potential for collaboration in these sectors. The meeting concluded with Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan wishing Shri Todd McClay and his delegation a pleasant stay.