AUCKLAND — India and New Zealand have elevated their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership, with the two countries agreeing on a roadmap through 2030 that expands cooperation in defence, maritime security, trade, investment and other sectors during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official visit to Auckland.
The announcement followed talks on July 11 between Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, marking the first visit by an Indian prime minister to New Zealand in about 40 years. The leaders endorsed the India-New Zealand Strategic Partnership: Roadmap to 2030, describing it as a framework to guide closer political, economic and security cooperation over the next four years.
According to a joint statement and official releases from both governments, the roadmap covers political engagement, trade and investment, defence and security, education, science and technology, agriculture, tourism, sports and people-to-people ties. The leaders also set an objective of doubling two-way trade by 2030, building on a free trade agreement signed earlier this year.
The two sides signed several agreements aimed at strengthening defence cooperation, including arrangements on maritime cooperation, hydrography and nautical cartography, and reciprocal logistics support between the Indian Navy and the New Zealand Defence Force. Officials said the measures are intended to improve coordination, information sharing and operational cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
Luxon said the elevation of ties reflected the two countries' ambition to deepen cooperation across a broad range of areas, while Modi described the agreement as opening a new chapter in bilateral relations, according to official statements released after the meeting.
The visit comes as India seeks to expand its engagement across the Indo-Pacific through stronger diplomatic, economic and security partnerships. Reuters reported that both governments emphasized shared democratic values and growing strategic interests in the region while highlighting closer maritime cooperation as a priority.
Modi's visit also included meetings with business leaders and members of New Zealand's Indian community, one of the country's fastest-growing diaspora groups. The leaders discussed expanding cooperation in technology, education, tourism and innovation alongside the new strategic framework.
The two governments said implementation of the Roadmap to 2030 will proceed through regular high-level meetings, ministerial dialogues and sector-specific initiatives intended to advance the newly established Strategic Partnership.
