India, New Zealand forge ₹35,000 crore strategic partnership to boost trade

India and New Zealand have elevated their bilateral ties to a strategic partnership, setting an ambitious goal to double their annual trade in goods and services to approximately $7 billion (₹35,000 crore) by 2030. This significant step was formalized following talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon in Auckland.

The high-level meeting resulted in 18 concrete outcomes, including 10 agreements. Key among these are a four-year roadmap to expand cooperation, a framework for enhanced maritime collaboration in the Indo-Pacific, and a reciprocal logistics support agreement between the Indian Navy and the New Zealand Defence Force. Both leaders expressed their commitment to a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific, underscoring the importance of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the rules-based international order.

“

We have decided to elevate our ties to a Strategic Partnership. We will move forward across every sector with clear goals and concrete outcomes

As maritime nations, Modi stated that closer cooperation between India and New Zealand will bolster the Indo-Pacific region. The leaders called for freedom of navigation and adherence to international law, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. They also agreed to establish a maritime security dialogue to improve cooperation and information exchange.

The visit, the final leg of Modi's three-nation tour, occurred shortly after the signing of the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement. Discussions also touched upon the West Asia conflict, with both prime ministers expressing concern over escalating tensions and urging restraint and the protection of civilians.

“

As two maritime nations, our close cooperation, lends new strength to the Indo-Pacific, and our ties can infuse fresh energy into achieving our shared goals of peace