India and New Zealand elevate ties to strategic partnership during Modi's visit

India and New Zealand have officially upgraded their bilateral ties to a "strategic partnership," a move solidified during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Auckland. This elevation, the first of its kind for an Indian premier in four decades, signifies a deepening of cooperation between the world's most populous nation and Oceania's second-largest economy.

The partnership is underpinned by a "Roadmap to 2030," outlining a framework for enhanced collaboration across various sectors, including defense, security, and trade, through regular summits and ministerial dialogues. This initiative aims to build upon existing mechanisms and explore new avenues for joint efforts.

The leaders celebrated the dynamism of their trade relations, noting the significant potential for further growth. This comes after the recent signing of a free trade agreement in April, which eliminated tariffs on 100% of Indian goods and offered preferential treatment for New Zealand's exports. Both nations are committed to ensuring the agreement's swift implementation, with a shared goal of doubling bilateral trade to NZ$7 billion (US$4.1 billion) by 2030.