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Hipkins raises concerns over India trade deal before party makes final call

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Mon, 13 Apr 2026, 6:17pm
Photo / File
Photo / File

Hipkins raises concerns over India trade deal before party makes final call

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Mon, 13 Apr 2026, 6:17pm

Labour's leader is demanding clarity on spending commitments in the India free trade deal - and isn't sure whether the party will back it. 

The deal lives or dies on Labour's decision, with Coalition party NZ First refusing support. 

Chris Hipkins says he's concerned about a clause he claims requires Kiwi businesses to invest $30 billion in India over 15 years. 

He says he wants to see legal advice before making a final call. 

"If that is a binding commitment, that we have to spend $2 in India for every dollar we get back from India, then is that a deal we should be supporting? That's a very live question for us."

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