Shashi Tharoor Reveals New Zealand's FTA Stance: "Cannot Stay Away From India"

• Congress MP Shashi Tharoor highlighted New Zealand's political consensus on an FTA with India, despite internal opposition.
• New Zealand's Labour Party, the main opposition, supported the government's FTA with India, overriding the ruling coalition partner's objections.
• The Labour Party justified its support by citing India's status as the world's fastest-growing major economy, deeming it irresponsible to block the deal.
• Despite concerns over dairy product exclusion, the Labour Party backed the FTA, believing 'some progress is better than no progress' for market access in other sectors.
• The deal includes a one-year review clause for dairy, environmental standards, and migration, expected to pass with a super-majority by mid-2026.

Why It Matters: New Zealand's political parties united to secure an FTA with India, acknowledging India's growing economic power.