The question pertains to an agreement between India and New Zealand regarding areas of cooperation under a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed in December 2025. The task is to identify which among the given options were agreed upon as areas of cooperation.
Let's analyze each component of the options:
- AYUSH: AYUSH stands for Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. The inclusion of AYUSH suggests a focus on traditional and alternative medicine systems. This is a plausible area for international cooperation, especially considering India's deep historical roots in these practices.
- Audio-Visual tourism: This involves promoting and facilitating tourism through audio-visual content, which can include films, documentaries, and digital media showcasing tourist destinations. Such an area would be relevant if both countries are looking at cultural exchange or tourism enhancement through media.
- Traditional knowledge system: This refers to the indigenous, ethnological knowledge systems that have been a part of local cultures. Cooperation in this area would indicate a mutual interest in preserving and promoting knowledge systems that might be at risk and could involve exchange of practices and knowledge systems.
- Horticulture: Since agriculture is a significant sector for both countries, horticulture - the art and science of growing plants, fruits, and vegetables could be a vital area of collaboration to improve and exchange techniques and technologies.
According to the given correct answer option: "1, 3 and 4 only," this implies that the areas of cooperation agreed upon under the FTA are AYUSH, the traditional knowledge system, and horticulture.
Here's why each option either fits or does not fit:
- AYUSH (Included): Given the global interest in alternative medicine, India's AYUSH system represents a high-value area for cooperation.
- Traditional knowledge system (Included): Value is placed on preserving, sharing, and possibly marketing each nation's traditional knowledge for mutual benefit.
- Horticulture (Included): As both countries have significant agricultural sectors, collaborating on horticultural techniques can benefit both economically and in terms of food security.
- Audio-Visual tourism (Not included): While tourism might be of interest, it is not listed among the primary areas of cooperation in the context of this FTA, therefore not included here.
Thus, the correct option is "1, 3 and 4 only," which correctly identifies AYUSH, the traditional knowledge system, and horticulture as the agreed areas of cooperation under the FTA between India and New Zealand.