WELLINGTON, April 22 — A senior New Zealand minister has drawn widespread criticism after referring to a proposed free trade deal with India as a “butter chicken tsunami.”
WELLINGTON, April 22 — A senior New Zealand minister has drawn widespread criticism after referring to a proposed free trade deal with India as a “butter chicken tsunami.”
Wellington is expected to sign the agreement in New Delhi next week, with the government describing it as a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity that would open access for local businesses to India’s vast consumer market.
However, coalition partner NZ First, a right-wing populist party, has withdrawn its support, citing concerns that the deal could lead to an influx of Indian nationals.
This split means the government may have to rely on backing from the opposition Labour Party when the legislation is tabled in parliament in the coming months.
On Monday, NZ First deputy leader and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones said his party would “never accept” the agreement.
“I don’t care how much criticism we get, I will never agree to a butter chicken tsunami coming to New Zealand,” he told Reality Check Radio.
His remarks were quickly condemned by Indian community groups, who labelled them as racist.
Shanti Patel, president of the Auckland Indian Association, said the comments were deeply troubling, while opposition MP Priyanca Radhakrishnan described them as “outright racism,” adding that such statements are unacceptable from public officials.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon also criticised the remarks, calling them “unhelpful.”
According to officials, the deal could result in more than 20,000 Indian migrants entering New Zealand.
NZ First has also raised concerns over a NZ$34 billion (US$20 billion) investment commitment in India over 15 years tied to the agreement.
The Labour Party has yet to decide its stance, pointing to similar concerns over the scale of the investment. — AFP
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