India, New Zealand Elevate Ties to Strategic Partnership, Target ₹35,000 Crore Trade by 2030
PM Narendra Modi and New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon unveil a comprehensive roadmap covering trade, defence, maritime security, and Indo-Pacific cooperation during high-level talks in Auckland.
India and New Zealand have elevated their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership, marking a significant milestone in diplomatic ties. Following high-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Auckland on Saturday, both nations set an ambitious goal of doubling annual bilateral trade in goods and services to ₹35,000 crore by 2030.
Prime Minister Modi arrived in Auckland on Friday night for the third and final leg of his three-nation tour. The visit comes amid growing geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific region and follows the recent signing of the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA), with a strong focus on strengthening regional cooperation.
The summit produced 18 key outcomes, including 10 bilateral agreements. Major announcements included a four-year roadmap to deepen bilateral ties, a framework for enhanced Indo-Pacific maritime cooperation, and a Mutual Logistics Support Agreement between the Indian Navy and the New Zealand Defence Force.
In a joint statement, both leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to a free, open, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. They also emphasized adherence to international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), supporting freedom of navigation and overflight across international waters.
To strengthen maritime cooperation, India and New Zealand agreed to establish a Maritime Security Dialogue aimed at enhancing coordination, information sharing, and strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
Speaking after the meeting, Prime Minister Modi said, “As two maritime nations, our close cooperation strengthens the Indo-Pacific, and our partnership can inject new energy into our shared goals of peace and stability.”
Both leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to the early implementation of the recently signed Free Trade Agreement and pledged to remove trade barriers to achieve the ₹35,000 crore bilateral trade target by 2030.
The discussions also covered the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Modi and Luxon expressed concern over escalating tensions, urged all parties to exercise restraint, reduce hostilities, and ensure the protection of civilians.
The joint statement further called for the full restoration of freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing the need for uninterrupted global commerce and opposing any restrictions on maritime traffic.
Additionally, the two leaders advocated for comprehensive reforms at the United Nations, reaffirming their mutual support for the expansion of the UN Security Council.
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