‘Butter chicken tsunami’:New Zealand’s minister’s India trade remark sparks racism row

A proposed free trade deal between India and New Zealand may be in jeopardy after a senior minister in New Zealand, Shane Jones, called the deal a “butter chicken tsunami”. He is currently facing heavy criticism after his statement. According to reports, the country is expected to sign the trade agreement in New Delhi next week. The government has described it as a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity that could open huge business opportunities in India. Amid the criticism and political turmoil, Jones defended his controversial comment, saying he uses dramatic language to get attention during political debates. What is the entire matter?
In a video now circulating online, the New Zealand First deputy leader said his party would “never accept” the India trade deal. According to his statement, after the deal, his country would witness “unfettered immigration” linked to the agreement, which would lower wages, crowd roads, and put pressure on hospitals and public services. “I don’t care how much criticism we get. I am just never going to agree with a butter chicken tsunami coming to New Zealand,” Jones said. Immigration will be a major election issue
Speaking to reporters outside the Parliament of New Zealand on Tuesday morning, Jones said immigration would be a key issue this election year. He also added that he disagrees with how the government is presenting the agreement. “I just say to the prime minister that New Zealanders are not going to tolerate unfettered immigration, ruining our foundation culture and clogging our services at a time we can hardly afford to upgrade the infrastructure that New Zealand has.” Prime Minister says comments were ‘unhelpful’
At his post-Cabinet press conference on Monday, Prime Minister Luxon said he had not seen Jones’ full comments but believed they were a “gross misrepresentation” of what the trade deal actually involves. “I don’t know. I’m just saying the immigration story that they are scaremongering around is absolutely false.” “We have taken them through the data, we have taken them through the details of that deal. We’ll continue to do so, because we would love them to rethink their position,” Luxon said, according to RNZ. He further added, “I appreciate they’ve got a pretty hard no against anything around free trade agreements. I just think that makes New Zealand poorer.” When asked directly whether he thought the remarks were racist, Luxon did not clearly say yes or no. “It doesn’t sound right,” he said, describing the language as “alarmist” and “unhelpful”.