Mon Mar 17 09:10:05 UTC 2025: ## India and New Zealand Pledge Deeper Ties, Launch FTA Negotiations
**New Delhi, India** – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his New Zealand counterpart, Christopher Luxon, concluded a highly productive meeting today, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations across various sectors. Luxon’s visit, the first by a New Zealand Prime Minister in nine years, marks a significant step in bolstering the strategic partnership.
The two leaders agreed to initiate negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), aiming to significantly boost the current NZD 3 billion annual trade between the two nations. Priority sectors for investment and collaboration include dairy, food processing, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, critical minerals, forestry, and horticulture.
Beyond trade, the meeting focused on enhancing defence and security cooperation, with plans for increased joint military exercises, training programs, and collaborations within the defence industry. The growing maritime security partnership was also highlighted, underscored by a current New Zealand naval ship’s port call in Mumbai.
Both leaders strongly condemned terrorism, explicitly mentioning the 2019 Christchurch and 2008 Mumbai attacks. They pledged continued cooperation against terrorism, separatism, and fundamentalist elements, with Modi requesting New Zealand’s support in addressing anti-India activities.
The shared vision for a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region was reaffirmed, with New Zealand’s recent joining of the Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative a key point of discussion.
The leaders also emphasized strengthening people-to-people ties, sports diplomacy (including a planned celebration of 100 years of sporting relations in 2026), and increased digital cooperation. Modi invited New Zealand universities to establish campuses in India, while Luxon announced a more than 60% increase in New Zealand’s diplomatic presence in India. An agreement to facilitate the mobility of skilled workers while addressing illegal migration was also discussed.
Luxon praised the strong people-to-people links and highlighted the significant Indian diaspora in New Zealand, while Modi noted Luxon’s personal connection with India and the large Indian-origin delegation accompanying him. The meeting concluded with the exchange of several bilateral agreements and an invitation for Modi to visit New Zealand.
First Piper 