India NZ Security Based Ties during PM Modi's Historic Visit

Key Points

· Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited New Zealand (10–11 July 2026) at the invitation of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon—the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 40 years.

· India and New Zealand elevated their bilateral relationship to a "Strategic Partnership" and adopted the "India–New Zealand Strategic Partnership: Roadmap to 2030."

· The leaders agreed to strengthen high-level political dialogue, including regular meetings between Prime Ministers, Foreign Ministers, and senior officials.

· Both countries welcomed the signing of a comprehensive India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and aim to double bilateral trade to NZ$7 billion (around ₹35,000 crore) by 2030.

· Defence and maritime cooperation will be expanded through:

o Maritime Cooperation Arrangement (MCA)

o Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement

o Hydrography and Nautical Cartography cooperation

o Annual Maritime Security Dialogue

o Bilateral naval exercises.

· Both sides reaffirmed cooperation on:

o Counter-terrorism

o Cyber security

o Maritime security

o Law enforcement against organised crime, drug trafficking, and human trafficking.

· The leaders encouraged direct non-stop flights between India and New Zealand and welcomed cooperation in tourism, agriculture, horticulture, dairying, forestry, and animal husbandry.

· New Zealand will support agricultural productivity in kiwifruit, apples, and honey, including establishing Centres of Excellence for kiwifruit in India.

· Both countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in:

o Education

o Science and technology

o Innovation

o Climate action

o Disaster management

o Renewable energy and biofuels.

· India welcomed New Zealand's joining the Global Biofuels Alliance.

· The leaders reaffirmed commitment to a free, open, peaceful, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, respecting international law and freedom of navigation.

· New Zealand reaffirmed its support for India's permanent membership of a reformed UN Security Council and acknowledged India's candidature for the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

· Both leaders strongly condemned terrorism, including the Pahalgam (22 April 2025) and Red Fort (10 November 2025) attacks, and agreed to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation through a Joint Working Group.

· The two countries also expressed concern over conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, calling for dialogue, diplomacy, and adherence to international law.

[ABS News Service/11.07.2026]

At the invitation of the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Rt Hon Christopher Luxon, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, is on an official visit to Auckland, New Zealand on 10 and 11 July 2026. The visit is the first by an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand in 40 years, marking a historic milestone and charting a new course in the enduring friendship and partnership between the two nations.

During the visit, Prime Minister Modi received a formal ceremonial welcome at Government House, held bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Luxon, addressed business leaders and members of the Indian community in New Zealand, and observed a showcase of New Zealand sporting innovation.

The Prime Ministers recalled Prime Minister Luxon’s visit to India in March 2025, during which India and New Zealand launched Free Trade Agreement negotiations and signed memorandums in the important areas of defence, education, customs, horticulture, forestry, and sport.

Recognising the long-standing friendship between India and New Zealand, shared democratic values, deep people-to-people links, and shared interests in the Indo Pacific, the two Prime Ministers decided to elevate the bilateral relationship to a ‘Strategic Partnership’. They accordingly endorsed the ‘India-New Zealand Strategic Partnership: Roadmap to 2030’ as a framework to guide joint action over the next four years.

The Prime Ministers agreed to an ambitious long-term vision for the Strategic Partnership, which aims to take bilateral relations to a new level, strengthen existing cooperation mechanisms and explore new avenues for deepening cooperation, both bilaterally and multilaterally.

Political and Diplomatic Engagement

The Prime Ministers welcomed the increasing momentum of high-level political engagement and agreed to hold regular reciprocal visits and meetings between the respective Prime Ministers and Ministers, including on the sidelines of regional and multilateral events.

To provide strategic guidance to the relationship and review progress under the Roadmap to 2030, the Prime Ministers agreed to establish a regular Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue and consolidate the practice of annual senior officials’ meetings between India’s Ministry of External Affairs and New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The Prime Ministers acknowledged the important contribution of parliamentary exchanges to deepening mutual understanding and strengthening the democratic foundations of the India-New Zealand relationship. They encouraged regular engagement between the Parliaments of both countries, including through the recently constituted Parliamentary Friendship Group for New Zealand in the Indian Parliament, and visits by Members of Parliament.

Defence and Security Cooperation

The Prime Ministers welcomed progress in defence and security cooperation, including the implementation of the 2025 India-New Zealand Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation. The Prime Ministers agreed to maintain regular structured engagement at Defence Ministry and Service levels. They highlighted cooperation under Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) in 2025, with New Zealand in command and India as Deputy Commander, supporting efforts to deter narcotics smuggling, terrorism, and illicit maritime activity in the Middle East and the Western Indian Ocean.

The Prime Ministers noted that India and New Zealand, as maritime nations, share an interest in a free, open, peaceful, and prosperous Indo Pacific. They accordingly agreed to strengthen maritime cooperation, including through the newly concluded Maritime Cooperation Arrangement (MCA), an Implementing Arrangement on Cooperation in Matters of Hydrography and Nautical Cartography, and a Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement focused on the maritime domain. They also welcomed naval activities, including bilateral naval exercises, as part of the MCA.

India welcomed New Zealand’s nomination of Maritime Security as its priority pillar under the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, and both sides agreed to explore specific cooperation activities under this pillar. They also agreed to establish an annual Maritime Security Dialogue to strengthen cooperation, coordination and information exchange.

The Prime Ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening cooperation on counter terrorism, cyber security, and related security challenges. They agreed to explore opportunities for closer engagement, including through dialogue and collaboration in relevant regional and multilateral settings, with a view to supporting international peace, security, and resilience.

The Prime Ministers agreed to strengthen practical law enforcement cooperation to combat transnational and organised crime, including illicit drug trafficking, financial crime, cyber-enabled crime, terrorism-related offences, people smuggling and trafficking in persons. They agreed to work towards the early formalisation of arrangements on counter-narcotics cooperation and law enforcement cooperation between the relevant Indian and New Zealand agencies.

Trade and Economic Cooperation

The Prime Ministers welcomed the momentum in the trade and economic relationship while recognising that there remains significant room for growth. They agreed to work towards the aspirational goal of doubling bilateral two way trade in goods and services to NZ$7 billion or approximately ₹35,000 crore, by 2030. They encouraged businesses to deepen links, explore opportunities, and build on complementarities between the two economies.

The Prime Ministers welcomed the conclusion and signature of a balanced, comprehensive and mutually beneficial India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA). They agreed to work together to ensure its early entry into force and effective implementation.

The Prime Ministers recognised the important role of the FTA in strengthening the bilateral economic partnership, including through the removal of barriers to trade, increased cooperation, and New Zealand’s promotion of investment into India. The Prime Ministers noted that New Zealand can support India’s Viksit Bharat goal to become a developed country by 2047, including through cooperation in trade, agriculture, skills, innovation, clean energy, sport, and other areas.

Recognising the positive role of tourism in generating economic growth and cultural understanding, they welcomed the signature of a Memorandum of Arrangement on Tourism. They again encouraged airlines to commence direct non-stop flights between India and New Zealand.

The Prime Ministers welcomed the growing partnership between India and New Zealand in the primary industries, including horticulture, forestry, animal husbandry and dairying. They noted that this cooperation draws on New Zealand’s globally recognised expertise in productivity, food safety, sustainability, post-harvest systems and value chain development, and supports India’s priorities for sustainable agricultural growth.

The Prime Ministers welcomed the Agricultural Productivity Partnership under the Free Trade Agreement as a key platform for practical cooperation, including New Zealand’s work with India on action plans to help lift productivity in kiwifruit, apples and honey. They noted New Zealand’s support for the establishment of Centres of Excellence in kiwifruit in India and welcomed education and institutional collaborations that will support agricultural innovation, skills development and stronger industry linkages. The Prime Ministers also welcomed the conclusion of the Memorandum of Cooperation on Animal Husbandry and Dairying.

The Prime Ministers welcomed the continued dialogue between India’s Directorate General of Shipping, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Maritime New Zealand on opportunities to strengthen the recognition of seafarer competency certificates. They noted that enhanced recognition of seafarer competency certificates would support seafarer mobility, strengthen cooperation between maritime authorities, and contribute to the resilience and capability of both countries’ maritime industries.

People, Culture and Sport

The Prime Ministers commended the strong connections between the people of India and New Zealand. They recognised that the Indian community in New Zealand is an integral and valued part of New Zealand’s diverse society, as well as a living bridge between the two countries. They appreciated the community’s significant contribution to New Zealand’s economy, society, culture, public and sporting life.

The Prime Ministers welcomed celebrations to mark 100 Years of Unity Through Sport in 2026. They further welcomed the India-New Zealand Joint Action Plan on Sport, which provides a practical framework to strengthen bilateral sporting ties, including through high performance sport, coaching, sport science, participation, sport business, and exchanges between national sporting organisations.

The Prime Ministers welcomed the continued deepening of cultural cooperation between India and New Zealand, including through engagement on traditional medicine, the commencement of an Arrangement on Cultural Cooperation, and the Memorandum of Arrangement between the National Maritime Heritage Complex, Lothal, India, and the New Zealand Maritime Museum. They noted that these initiatives provide valuable opportunities to strengthen people-to-people links, promote mutual understanding, and celebrate the rich cultural heritage, contemporary creativity, and longstanding maritime connections between both countries.

Education, Research, Science and Technology, and Disaster Management

The Prime Ministers acknowledged that education, research, science and technology, and innovation are key aspects of the bilateral relationship. They encouraged government officials, institutions and industry to scope and build partnerships in agriculture, climate, digital transformation, science, innovation and new and emerging technologies.

The Prime Ministers recognised education as a central pillar of the relationship, underpinning people-to-people links, skills development, research collaboration and long-term economic partnership. They welcomed the growing connections between education institutions in both countries and agreed to strengthen cooperation in ways that support student mobility, institutional partnerships, innovation and mutual understanding. They reflected on progress in implementing the 2025 Education Cooperation Arrangement and acknowledged the engagements and new institutional partnerships developed since the signing.

The Prime Ministers recognised the shared challenges of climate change and the transition to low-emissions and climate-resilient economies. They agreed to deepen cooperation through the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. Prime Minister Modi welcomed New Zealand joining the Global Biofuels Alliance.

The Prime Ministers welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between the National Disaster Management Authority of India and the National Emergency Management Agency of New Zealand. They reaffirmed the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation in disaster risk reduction, preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience building, with a view to enhancing the resilience of communities, infrastructure, and institutions in both countries.

The Prime Ministers looked forward to advancing research, innovation and practical solutions to support more sustainable, productive and climate-resilient agriculture and food systems.

Regional and Multilateral Cooperation

The Prime Ministers exchanged views on their respective approaches to the Indo Pacific and reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, where sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected, and the rules-based international order is upheld.

They reaffirmed 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. Both sides reaffirmed the need to pursue peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, particularly UNCLOS. They emphasised the importance of working together towards security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.

The leaders noted the importance of cooperation in ASEAN-led and other regional fora, including the East Asia Summit, the ASEAN Regional Forum and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus. They reaffirmed the importance of ASEAN centrality and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.

The Prime Ministers emphasised the importance of an effective multilateral system centred on the United Nations. They stressed the need for bold and effective UN reform and affirmed their support for expansion of the Security Council in both permanent and non-permanent categories to better reflect contemporary geopolitical realities. In this regard, New Zealand reaffirmed its support for India’s permanent membership of a reformed and expanded United Nations Security Council.

The two sides reaffirmed their strong commitment to global peace and security, universal, non-discriminatory and verifiable nuclear disarmament, and upholding the global non-proliferation architecture. The Prime Ministers again acknowledged the value of India joining the Nuclear Suppliers Group, in the context of predictability for India’s clean energy goals and its non-proliferation credentials.

The Prime Ministers expressed concern over renewed escalation of tensions in the Middle East and called upon all parties to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, and ensure protection of civilians. They called for full restoration of freedom of navigation and the global flow of commerce through the Strait of Hormuz, while opposing any constraints on shipping. They reiterated the importance of dialogue and diplomacy, and adherence to international law to achieve a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict.

The Prime Ministers discussed the importance of stable, transparent, and resilient supply chains. They recognised the important role that India is playing in international energy supply chains, and in strengthening resilience across global energy networks. They expressed deep concern about the impacts of disruptions across the Indo Pacific, noting that the stability of global supply routes is essential to the region. They noted that this is particularly acute for Pacific Island countries, where economies are heavily exposed and higher oil prices are driving increases in costs of electricity generation, shipping, transportation, agriculture, and fisheries, placing significant pressure on social well-being and fiscal sustainability.

On Ukraine, the leaders expressed concern over the ongoing war, which continues to cause immense human suffering and global consequences. They will continue to support efforts towards the achievement of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace through dialogue and diplomacy, based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law.

The two leaders reiterated their absolute condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism. Both leaders condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in Jammu & Kashmir, India on 22 April 2025 and the terror incident near Red Fort, New Delhi on 10 November 2025 and stressed that those responsible for the attacks should be held accountable. They called for a zero-tolerance and consistent approach to terrorism, and called for the disruption of terrorism financing networks and safe havens, dismantling of terror infrastructure, including online, and bringing perpetrators of terrorism to justice swiftly. The two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in combating terrorism and violent extremism. The leaders welcomed the signing of the MoA on establishing a Joint Working Group (JWG) on Counter-Terrorism which will provide a framework for information and knowledge sharing.

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in the multilateral fora including the UN and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The two leaders stressed the urgent need for all countries to take immediate, sustained, concerted, and concrete action against UN-proscribed terrorist organizations and individuals, including those listed in the UNSC 1267 sanctions committee and their affiliates, proxies, sponsors, financiers and backers.

Conclusion

The Prime Ministers directed Ministers and senior officials to maintain close engagement and ensure timely implementation of the initiatives set out in the Roadmap to 2030. They agreed that progress would be reviewed regularly by Ministers and senior officials.

Prime Minister Modi thanked Prime Minister Luxon and the Government and people of New Zealand for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation. The two leaders agreed to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges and to realise the full potential of the India-New Zealand Strategic Partnership.