11 July,2026 11:29 AM IST | Auckland | mid-day online correspondent
The agreement was announced during Modi`s visit to New Zealand, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 40 years. Pic/PTI
India and New Zealand have agreed to work towards doubling bilateral trade in goods and services to NZD7 billion (approximately Rs 35,000 crore) by 2030, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon elevated bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership during talks in Auckland.
The agreement was announced during Modi's visit to New Zealand, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 40 years. The two leaders adopted the India-New Zealand Strategic Partnership: Roadmap to 2030, a framework that outlines cooperation across political, economic, security, educational and regional sectors over the next four years.
According to a joint statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the roadmap reflects "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."
The two sides cited their longstanding friendship, democratic values, people-to-people ties and shared interests in the Indo-Pacific as the basis for upgrading the relationship.
The Strategic Partnership covers six broad areas:
The roadmap proposes regular meetings between the Prime Ministers, Cabinet ministers and senior officials, along with a dedicated Foreign Ministers' Dialogue, parliamentary exchanges and annual consultations between the foreign ministries. The document is intended to guide bilateral cooperation until 2030 and does not create legally binding obligations or automatic financial commitments.
Trade emerged as a central focus of the discussions, with both countries committing to double bilateral trade by the end of the decade.
PM Modi noted that bilateral trade had increased by more than 50 per cent over the past three years and expressed confidence that the recently concluded Free Trade Agreement (FTA) would further strengthen economic ties.
"This year, we signed the Free Trade Agreement in record time. With this achievement, new doors will open for industries in both countries, farmers and youth," PM Modi said.
"With trade, we are preparing the blueprint for trust, technology and talent. In the last 3 years, there has been more than 50 per cent increase in our trade. We are confident that in the next 5 years, FTA will be a strong foundation to double our trade."
The FTA was signed in New Delhi on April 27, 2026, and is currently awaiting implementation. According to New Zealand's foreign ministry, annual two-way trade currently stands at NZD 3.95 billion.
Both countries also agreed to expand cooperation in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, dairy, animal husbandry, food processing, innovation, clean energy, skills development and sports.
India and New Zealand agreed to strengthen cooperation on defence, maritime security and counter-terrorism.
The two countries will establish a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism to facilitate cooperation on information sharing and institutional coordination.
"To move forward shoulder to shoulder on the issue of terrorism, we have formed a Joint Working Group today," PM Modi said.
The leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms, including cross-border terrorism, and called for dismantling terror infrastructure and financing networks while bringing those responsible for attacks to justice.
They also agreed to establish an annual Maritime Security Dialogue and deepen maritime cooperation through newly signed agreements, including the Maritime Cooperation Arrangement, an arrangement on hydrography and nautical cartography, and a Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement.
The roadmap also proposes greater collaboration in cybersecurity, law enforcement cooperation, counter-narcotics efforts, defence exercises, military exchanges and structured engagement between defence ministries.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific while supporting freedom of navigation, respect for international law and peaceful resolution of disputes.
New Zealand also reiterated its support for India's bid for permanent membership of a reformed United Nations Security Council.
"India and New Zealand are reliable partners and close friends," PM Modi said. "We believe that to face the challenges of the current times, reform is necessary in global institutions, including the UN."
The roadmap also calls for closer coordination in ASEAN-led and other regional forums, resilient supply chains and cooperation on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
The two countries signed a tourism arrangement aimed at promoting two-way travel and encouraging airlines to consider direct non-stop flights between India and New Zealand.
Both sides also discussed linking India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with New Zealand's payment system.
"To make our Strategic Partnership meaningful, we are turning the strengths of both countries into practical cooperation," PM Modi said.
Education and research also feature prominently in the roadmap, with plans to strengthen university partnerships, expand academic collaboration and promote joint initiatives in renewable energy, digital transformation, climate change, disaster management and emerging technologies.
India and New Zealand adopted a joint action plan on sports covering coaching, youth development, women's sports, sports science, technology, tourism and business collaboration.
"It transforms our shared passion into a much deeper cooperation," Luxon said.
The roadmap also seeks greater cultural exchanges, stronger partnerships between local governments and cooperation in traditional medicine.
Both leaders acknowledged the contribution of the Indian diaspora in strengthening bilateral ties across business, education, healthcare, technology, sports and culture.
Luxon described Indian New Zealanders as central to the relationship and highlighted their role in strengthening understanding between the two countries.
Addressing business leaders in Auckland, Luxon praised India's economic transformation and encouraged New Zealand businesses to expand their presence in the Indian market.
"It is an incredible transformation," he said.
He urged businesses to better understand Indian consumers and identify local partners to expand commercial opportunities, particularly in agriculture, food, education, tourism and technology.
"Get on a plane and go learn about the Indian consumer," he told New Zealand business leaders.
PM Modi's visit marks the first by an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand in 40 years and formed the final leg of his three-country tour, which also included Indonesia and Australia.
"For me, it is a matter of great happiness that after 40 years, an Indian Prime Minister has come to New Zealand," PM Modi said.
The two leaders also witnessed the exchange of multiple agreements covering trade, defence, maritime cooperation, tourism and other sectors.
Concluding the visit, PM Modi said the Strategic Partnership would provide clearer goals and measurable outcomes for bilateral cooperation, while Luxon described it as a stronger platform for prosperity, security and people-to-people engagement.
"Today we can confidently say that New Zealand and India are a winning partnership," Luxon said.
