New Zealand and India’s trade deal row

New Zealand has signed a major free trade deal with India, but a provision to lock in thousands of skilled migrants each year has sparked a backlash.

The agreement promises economic benefits for both countries, including expanded trade and easier movement for Indian skilled workers. But a comment by a senior minister in the governing coalition describing the migration agreements as a “butter chicken tsunami” has ignited criticism and raised concerns about attitudes toward the Indian community.

In this episode of Asia Specific, host Mariko Oi speaks with BBC journalist Vandhna Bhan and NZ BusinessDesk senior correspondent Dileepa Fonseka to unpack what’s actually in the deal, why immigration has become such a flashpoint, and what this reveals about New Zealand’s changing social landscape.

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