New Zealand Minister's Controversial Remark on India FTA Sparks Outrage

A senior New Zealand minister has made a highly controversial remark about the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) with India. He compared the agreement to a "butter chicken tsunami," following which there is a huge outcry in New Zealand politics and the Indian community living there. The New Zealand government is set to sign a landmark free trade agreement (FTA) with India in New Delhi next week. The New Zealand government is considering this agreement to be a "once in a generation" opportunity. Its main purpose is to give New Zealand businesses access to the huge domestic market of the world's most populous country (India). The root of this whole controversy is a statement by Shane Jones, Deputy Leader of NZ First (New Zealand First) and Minister of Regional Development, New Zealand's ruling coalition partner. Speaking on Reality Check Radio on Monday, Shane Jones said that his party will "never accept" the agreement. He said in a very provocative tone - "I don't care how much our tsunami, but I've never agreed with the Butter Chicken NZ party and the'Butter Chicken NZ'party."