India and New Zealand elevate ties to strategic partnership

India and New Zealand elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership and set a target of doubling bilateral trade to approximately Rs 35,000 crore by 2030. The two countries also signed key agreements on maritime cooperation, logistics support and regional security

Auckland: India and New Zealand on Saturday elevated their ties to a strategic partnership and set a five-year target to double their annual bilateral trade in goods and services to approximately Rs 35,000 crore by 2030 following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon.

The meeting yielded 18 concrete outcomes, including 10 agreements. Key among them were a roadmap to expand ties over the next four years, a framework for enhancing Indo-Pacific maritime cooperation, and a reciprocal logistics support pact between the Indian Navy and the New Zealand Defence Force.

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“We have decided to elevate our ties to a Strategic Partnership. We will move forward across every sector with clear goals and concrete outcomes,” Modi said after the talks.

A joint statement noted that Modi and Luxon exchanged views on the Indo-Pacific, reaffirming their shared commitment to a free, open and prosperous region. They also emphasised the importance of safeguarding sovereignty, territorial integrity and the rules-based international order.

The two prime ministers called for freedom of navigation and overflight, and other lawful uses of the seas, in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, it said.

In line with their focus on boosting cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, the two sides also agreed to establish a maritime security dialogue to strengthen cooperation, coordination and information exchange.

Modi landed in Auckland on Friday night in the third and final leg of his three-nation tour, which largely focused on expanding cooperation in the Indo-Pacific against the backdrop of China’s increasing assertiveness in the region.

The visit came following the recent signing of the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

In his remarks at the talks, Modi said deeper cooperation between India and New Zealand, both maritime nations, will inject new strength into the Indo-Pacific.

“As two maritime nations, our close cooperation lends new strength to the Indo-Pacific, and our ties can infuse fresh energy into achieving our shared goals of peace,” the prime minister said in Hindi.

The two prime ministers agreed to work towards the aspirational goal of doubling bilateral two-way trade in goods and services to 7 billion New Zealand dollars, or approximately Rs 35,000 crore, by 2030.

They also resolved to work together to ensure the early entry into force of the FTA.

Modi and Luxon, while discussing the West Asia conflict, expressed concern over the renewed escalation of tensions and called upon all parties to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions and ensure the protection of civilians, the joint statement said.

“They called for the full restoration of freedom of navigation and the global flow of commerce through the Strait of Hormuz, while opposing any constraints on shipping,” it said.

The two leaders reiterated the importance of dialogue and diplomacy, and adherence to international law, to achieve a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict.

Modi and Luxon also pitched for “bold and effective” reform of the United Nations and affirmed their support for the expansion of the Security Council.

The two leaders also discussed the importance of stable, transparent and resilient supply chains and recognised the “important role” that India is playing in strengthening resilience across global energy networks.

“They expressed deep concern about the impact of disruptions across the Indo-Pacific, noting that the stability of global supply routes is essential to the region,” the joint statement said.

The two sides especially noted that this is particularly acute for Pacific Island countries, where economies are heavily exposed and higher oil prices are driving increases in the costs of electricity generation, shipping, transportation, agriculture and fisheries.

On Ukraine, Modi and Luxon expressed concern over the ongoing war, which continues to “cause immense human suffering and global consequences”, according to the statement.

The two leaders also reiterated their condemnation of terrorism in all its forms, including cross-border terrorism.

Both leaders condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and the terror incident near Red Fort last year and stressed that those responsible for the attacks should be held accountable.

They called for a “zero-tolerance” approach to terrorism and underlined the need to disrupt terror financing networks and safe havens.