India pushes skilled‑worker mobility ahead of PM Modi's New Zealand visit

The Ministry of External Affairs said India’s priority is greater mobility for its high‑skilled professionals as New Zealand tightens immigration rules. Secretary (East) Rudrendra Tandon emphasized that skilled‑worker movement is part of trade agreements and cited the India‑New Zealand free‑trade pact signed on April 27 as a framework to address migration concerns.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Indonesia (July 8‑9), Australia (July 10) and New Zealand (July 11), becoming the first Indian premier to visit New Zealand in four decades. The visit will include a focus on diaspora engagement and the implementation of mobility provisions under the new FTA.