PM Modi meets PM New Zealand, agree further strengthening Relations

New Delhi, March 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held productive discussions with PM New Zealand Christopher Luxon. Both leaders agreed to further strengthen ties in areas of trade & investment, defence & security, maritime cooperation, education & research, science & technology, agri-tech, space, mobility of people & sports.

They also exchanged views on strengthening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is on a five-day official visit to India is leading the largest New Zealand delegation to ever visit the country, highlighting the significance of the visit.

Prime Minister Luxon in a joint statement, issued after the meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties anchored in democratic values and shared strategic interests.

They emphasised the importance of enhancing economic cooperation through the renewed FTA talks, while also highlighting the value of New Zealand's inclusion in the Indo-Pacific Trade Agreement (IPOI) to promote stability and prosperity in the region.

Both leaders also agreed that closer cooperation would be crucial in addressing global challenges, maintaining peace, and ensuring sustainable economic growth.

The visit is seen as a major step forward in bilateral ties, with a strong focus on restarting Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations and New Zealand’s decision to join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).

Both leaders in their joint statement agreed advancing cooperation across multiple sectors.

Key Outcomes:

1. Trade and Economic Cooperation

• Launch of negotiations between India and New Zealand on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

• Launch of discussions to facilitate the mobility of professionals and skilled workers.

2. Maritime and Security Collaboration

• New Zealand joins the Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative (IPOI).

• Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation between the Ministry of Defence of India and the New Zealand Ministry of Defence.

3. Infrastructure and Disaster Resilience

• New Zealand becomes a member of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).

4. Trade Facilitation and Agriculture

• Authorized Economic Operator - Mutual Recognition Agreement (AEO-MRA) between India's CBIC and New Zealand Customs Service.

• Memorandum of Cooperation on Horticulture between India’s Ministry of Agriculture and New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries.

• Letter of Intent on Forestry between India’s Ministry of Environment and New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries.

5. Education and Cultural Exchange

• Education Cooperation Agreement between India’s Ministry of Education and New Zealand’s Ministry of Education.

• Memorandum of Cooperation in Sports between India's Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and Sport New Zealand.

The visit solidified India-New Zealand relations, with both leaders committing to deeper economic integration, enhanced maritime cooperation, and broader people-to-people ties. Prime Minister Luxon will inaugurate the Raisina Dialogue in the evening, where he is the chief guest and will attend the conference along with the Prime Minister.