India, NZ elevate ties to strategic partnership
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Live Events as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Addas a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel New Delhi: India and New Zealand on Saturday elevated the bilateral ties to a strategic partnership through a slew of defence related agreements and set a target to double their annual trade in goods and services to ₹35,000 crore by 2030 following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his counterpart Christopher Luxon in Auckland.The two sides announced 18 key outcomes after the talks, including 10 memorandums of understanding and agreements, such as the provision of mutual logistics support between the Indian Navy and the New Zealand Defence Force, and a roadmap to 2030 aimed at guiding structured implementation of the strategic partnership across relevant ministries and stakeholders over the next four years.Prime Minister Modi said the defence partnership had entered a new phase with agreements aimed at enhancing cooperation across the Indo-Pacific.
"Our growing cooperation in defence and security is a symbol of our deep strategic trust. With the Defence Cooperation Agreement signed last year, a strong structure for our cooperation has been established. Today, we have reached an agreement on a framework for maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific," he said at a lunch hosted in his honour by Luxon. "Mutual coordination between us will increase through bilateral naval exercises, logistics support and cooperation in hydrography."Other key outcomes included an arrangement on establishing a joint working group on counter-terrorism and establishment of maritime security dialogue. New Zealand also nominated maritime security as a priority pillar under India's Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.Memorandum of Arrangement on Maritime Cooperation establishes a framework for enhanced maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific through dialogue, coordination, information exchange and joint activities.
The maritime security dialogue will strengthen cooperation, coordination and information exchange as both sides seek to create stability in the Indo-Pacific region.Addressing the Indian community in Auckland as he wrapped up his three-nation tour, the PM said the relationship between India and New Zealand is built on friendship, shared values and a mutual commitment to a stronger future. Drawing on
New Zealand's cultural heritage, he highlighted the significance of the word 'Waka', which for centuries has symbolised bringing people together. Modi said that Waka is not merely a boat but a symbol of a shared journey. He added that the India-New Zealand Waka is now ready to embark on a new voyage together, reflecting the growing partnership between the two nations.
The BriefWire