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India–New Zealand

SYLLABUS

GS-2: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited New Zealand, the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 40 years, during which both countries elevated their bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership and adopted the India–New Zealand Strategic Partnership: Roadmap to 2030.

Key Outcomes

  • Strategic Partnership: India and New Zealand elevated bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership and adopted the roadmap to 2030 to guide cooperation over the next four years.
  • Trade and Economic Cooperation: Both countries concluded the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
    • Set a target to double bilateral trade to NZ$7 billion (≈₹35,000 crore) by 2030.
  • Defence and Maritime Cooperation: Signed three major maritime agreements covering maritime cooperation, hydrography & nautical cartography, and mutual logistics support.
    • Agreed to establish an Annual Maritime Security Dialogue.
    • New Zealand joined the Maritime Security Pillar of India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).
    • Both countries welcomed cooperation under Combined Task Force-150 (CTF-150) in 2025, with New Zealand in command and India as Deputy Commander, supporting efforts against narcotics smuggling, terrorism and illicit maritime activities.
  • Counter-Terrorism and Security: Established a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism (JWG-CT).
    • Agreed to strengthen cooperation against terrorism, cyber threats, organised crime and narcotics trafficking.
  • Agriculture and Dairy: Signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
    • Launched the Kiwifruit Action Plan and announced Centres of Excellence in Nagaland and Uttarakhand under the Agricultural Productivity Partnership.
  • Tourism and Connectivity: Signed a Memorandum of Arrangement on Tourism.
    • Encouraged commencement of direct non-stop flights between India and New Zealand.
  • Education, Research and Innovation: Strengthened cooperation in education, science, innovation and climate-resilient agriculture.
    • Signed MoUs between NCPOR–University of Canterbury (Antarctic research) and NIFTEM–Massey University (food technology and academic collaboration).
  • Disaster Management and Climate: Signed an MoU between NDMA (India) and NEMA (New Zealand) on disaster management.
    • New Zealand joined the Global Biofuels Alliance, while both countries agreed to deepen cooperation through the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
  • Culture and People-to-People Relations: Signed agreements on Cultural Cooperation, National Maritime Heritage Complex–New Zealand Maritime Museum collaboration, and adopted the India–New Zealand Joint Action Plan on Sport.
  • Regional and Multilateral Cooperation: Reaffirmed commitment to a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
    • New Zealand reiterated support for India’s permanent membership of a reformed UN Security Counciland India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

Source:
Pib
Pib
Indianexpress
Newonair
Mea
Thehindubusinessline
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