Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi arrived in Auckland on July 10th to a wave of fanfare from Kiwi-Indians and our bald Prime Minister for talks of bilateral partnership by way of a Free Trade Agreement. India’s understanding of the agreement, though, seems to be a little flopsided; With Modi thanking us for a ‘commitment’ to investing US$20 Billion into the Indian economy over 20 years, prompting Trade Minister Todd McClay to basically go “Woah, woah, pump the breaks – the agreement only requires us to promote investment.”
Reaching out to UOW Professor Al Gillespie about the FTA, he told us that “The new FTA with India is not perfect, but it is very good. In an age in which we need to diversify our markets more than ever, it is particularly welcome. Nonetheless, all critique, provided it does not border on racism, should be welcomed.” And critique there has been! And not just Shane Jones doomsaying about butter chicken tsunamis, either. David Seymour said that the differing interpretations of the clause was the result of ‘political expediency’ and Chippy warned that India’s differing perspective on the agreement is something Kiwi exporters in India need to be ‘eyes wide open to.’
Critique wasn’t just relegated to being parliamentary or economic; Protestors representing the Khalistan movement, a Sikh group which – in response to allegations of intense discrimination from India’s Hindu majority – wishes to create a separate state, were seen pummeling cutouts of Modi. Within India, Modi is the leader of the right-wing BJP, who have had accusations of Hindu nationalism leveraged at them, and whose policies have contributed to antagonism against the country’s religious minorities like the Sikhs.
There was also a small (I only eyeballed the video, I think it was like twelve guys at most) contingent of Remigration NZ, a Xitter-and-Telegram based anti-immigration and White Nationalist network who were in communication with the now dormant White Waikato guys putting stickers up around campus. They got called Nazis and BTFO’d.
The visit and event – which included a sold-out stadium show called ‘Kia Ora Modi’ – fell on Matariki weekend, and I think we should probably consider why the Māori New Year seems to have been sidelined by our current government.
