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The South Asian region is generally considered to comprise India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Afghanistan is covered in the Middle East regional pages of this website.
New Zealand’s relations with South Asia are dominated by our relationship with India. Within the next 30 years India is likely to be the world’s most populous nation and one of the world’s economic superpowers. It is also seeking a greater role and influence in world affairs, for example, in the United Nations. India’s growing political and economic influence is, along with China’s, re-shaping the Asia-Pacific region. For these reasons, India has become a priority relationship for New Zealand and recent years have seen an increase in contact and activity. New Zealand welcomes India’s strengthening engagement in the region and the opportunities for cooperation that emerge from it.
The other principal consideration for New Zealand in South Asia is the potential for regional instability. Historically, South Asia has been affected by conflicts between countries of the region, by internal conflicts such as that in Afghanistan and by the ongoing scourge of terrorism. This has ongoing implications for regional security. New Zealand works on these issues, particularly in multilateral groupings, to promote security, peace, democracy and respect for human rights.
Beyond India, New Zealand’s l relationships with the countries of South Asia are generally friendly, although interaction is limited. We share long-standing links via the Commonwealth, a love of cricket, and – in the case of Nepal – admiration for Sir Edmund Hillary.
India and New Zealand have agreed in principle to work towards a free trade agreement. Negotiations are expected to begin in the second half of 2009.
New Zealand development assistance to South Asia is provided through the New Zealand Agency for International development (NZAID).
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