Key takeaways: PM Modi, Christopher Luxon elevate India-New Zealand ties to Strategic Partnership in Auckland

India and New Zealand have agreed to work towards doubling bilateral trade in goods and services to NZD7 billion approximately Rs 35000 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 AucklandThe agreement was announced during Modis visit to New Zealand the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 40 years The two leaders adopted the IndiaNew Zealand Strategic Partnership Roadmap to 2030 a framework that outlines cooperation across political economic security educational and regional sectors over the next four yearsAccording to a joint statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs MEA the roadmap reflects an ambitious longterm 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 multilaterallyThe two sides cited their longstanding friendship democratic values peopletopeople ties and shared interests in the IndoPacific as the basis for upgrading the relationshipRoadmap outlines six areas of cooperationThe Strategic Partnership covers six broad areasPolitical and diplomatic engagementDefence and security cooperationTrade and economic relationsEducation research and innovationPeopletopeople connectionsRegional and multilateral cooperationThe 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 commitmentsTrade target and economic cooperationTrade emerged as a central focus of the discussions with both countries committing to double bilateral trade by the end of the decadePM 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 tiesldquoThis year we signed the Free Trade Agreement in record time With this achievement new doors will open for industries in both countries farmers and youthrdquo PM Modi saidldquoWith 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 traderdquoThe FTA was signed in New Delhi on April 27 2026 and is currently awaiting implementation According to New Zealands foreign ministry annual twoway trade currently stands at NZD 395 billionBoth countries also agreed to expand cooperation in agriculture horticulture forestry dairy animal husbandry food processing innovation clean energy skills development and sportsStronger focus on defence and securityIndia and New Zealand agreed to strengthen cooperation on defence maritime security and counterterrorismThe two countries will establish a Joint Working Group on CounterTerrorism to facilitate cooperation on information sharing and institutional coordinationldquoTo move forward shoulder to shoulder on the issue of terrorism we have formed a Joint Working Group todayrdquo PM Modi saidThe leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms including crossborder terrorism and called for dismantling terror infrastructure and financing networks while bringing those responsible for attacks to justiceThey 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 ArrangementThe roadmap also proposes greater collaboration in cybersecurity law enforcement cooperation counternarcotics efforts defence exercises military exchanges and structured engagement between defence ministriesShared vision for the IndoPacificBoth leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a free open peaceful and prosperous IndoPacific while supporting freedom of navigation respect for international law and peaceful resolution of disputesNew Zealand also reiterated its support for Indias bid for permanent membership of a reformed United Nations Security CouncilldquoIndia and New Zealand are reliable partners and close friendsrdquo PM Modi said ldquoWe believe that to face the challenges of the current times reform is necessary in global institutions including the UNrdquoThe roadmap also calls for closer coordination in ASEANled and other regional forums resilient supply chains and cooperation on nuclear disarmament and nonproliferationTourism direct flights and digital connectivityThe two countries signed a tourism arrangement aimed at promoting twoway travel and encouraging airlines to consider direct nonstop flights between India and New ZealandBoth sides also discussed linking Indias Unified Payments Interface UPI with New Zealands payment systemldquoTo make our Strategic Partnership meaningful we are turning the strengths of both countries into practical cooperationrdquo PM Modi saidEducation 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 technologiesSports and peopletopeople tiesIndia and New Zealand adopted a joint action plan on sports covering coaching youth development womens sports sports science technology tourism and business collaborationldquoIt transforms our shared passion into a much deeper cooperationrdquo Luxon saidThe roadmap also seeks greater cultural exchanges stronger partnerships between local governments and cooperation in traditional medicineBoth leaders acknowledged the contribution of the Indian diaspora in strengthening bilateral ties across business education healthcare technology sports and cultureLuxon described Indian New Zealanders as central to the relationship and highlighted their role in strengthening understanding between the two countriesLuxon highlights Indias economic growthAddressing business leaders in Auckland Luxon praised Indias economic transformation and encouraged New Zealand businesses to expand their presence in the Indian marketldquoIt is an incredible transformationrdquo he saidHe urged businesses to better understand Indian consumers and identify local partners to expand commercial opportunities particularly in agriculture food education tourism and technologyldquoGet on a plane and go learn about the Indian consumerrdquo he told New Zealand business leadersFirst visit in four decadesPM Modis visit marks the first by an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand in 40 years and formed the final leg of his threecountry tour which also included Indonesia and AustralialdquoFor me it is a matter of great happiness that after 40 years an Indian Prime Minister has come to New Zealandrdquo PM Modi saidThe two leaders also witnessed the exchange of multiple agreements covering trade defence maritime cooperation tourism and other sectorsConcluding 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 peopletopeople engagementldquoToday we can confidently say that New Zealand and India are a winning partnershiprdquo Luxon said