Tuesday, 29 Apr, 2025
The leaders expressed satisfaction with the strong ties between the people of both nations. Image Source: NewsX
The joint statement issued after the meeting highlighted that both Prime Ministers discussed regional and global developments of shared interest, with a mutual commitment to enhancing multilateral cooperation.
India brought up concerns on Monday regarding the presence of radical and extremist Khalistani groups operating in New Zealand, highlighting the potential danger they pose to both Indian diplomats and the broader Indian community in the country. The matter was raised during talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who is on a five-day official visit to India. The discussions took place at Hyderabad House. Prime Minister Luxon, who is on his first visit to India in his current capacity, is visiting New Delhi and Mumbai,
Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East) at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), told the media after the bilateral talks that "Certainly, this was an issue that came up. We do alert our friends to the activities of anti-India elements in their countries and their abuse of freedom of speech and other democratic freedoms to glorify terrorism and to threaten attacks against our diplomats or our parliament or our events in India. So these were also conveyed. The government of New Zealand has been receptive and has taken our concerns on board in the past as well. This was also the reaction that we got today.”
The joint statement issued after the meeting highlighted that both Prime Ministers discussed regional and global developments of shared interest, with a mutual commitment to enhancing multilateral cooperation. The Prime Ministers reiterated their commitment to the principles of freedom of navigation and overflight, along with other lawful uses of the seas, in line with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They also emphasized the importance of resolving disputes peacefully in accordance with UNCLOS.
In addition, the leaders expressed satisfaction with the strong ties between the people of both nations, noting that people of Indian origin make up nearly six percent of New Zealand's population. They acknowledged the significant contributions of the Indian diaspora in New Zealand and their vital role in strengthening people-to-people connections. Both leaders underscored the importance of ensuring the safety and security of the Indian community in New Zealand, including students, as well as the protection of New Zealanders and visitors in India.
The Prime Ministers expressed their support for the continued flow of trade and investment between India and New Zealand, emphasizing the need to explore further opportunities to expand bilateral trade. They urged businesses on both sides to forge stronger connections and take advantage of emerging economic and investment prospects to leverage the complementary strengths of their respective economies. The leaders called for increased two-way investment, reflecting the positive momentum in ongoing bilateral cooperation.
Source: Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Both Prime Ministers committed to strengthening the trade and investment relationship to unlock its full potential, contributing to inclusive and sustainable economic growth. The leaders also welcomed the commencement of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, aiming for a balanced, ambitious, and mutually beneficial deal that would foster deeper economic integration. They agreed that a comprehensive trade agreement presents a valuable opportunity to boost trade and enhance economic cooperation.
As part of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, the leaders agreed to initiate discussions between relevant authorities on both sides to explore the early implementation of cooperation in the digital payments sector.
The Prime Ministers also welcomed the signing of the Authorized Economic Operators Mutual Recognition Arrangement (AEO-MRA), established under the Customs Cooperation Arrangement (CCA) signed in 2024. This agreement is expected to streamline the movement of goods between the two nations, with trusted traders benefiting from enhanced cooperation between customs authorities, ultimately boosting bilateral trade.
Moving to the cooperation in the defence sector, India and New Zealand signed a MoU on defence cooperation. The Prime Ministers expressed their satisfaction with the ongoing progress in defence cooperation, highlighting initiatives such as joint military exercises, staff college exchanges, regular naval port visits, and high-level defence delegations. They noted the December 2024 port visit of the Indian Naval sailing vessel *Tarini* to Lyttelton, Christchurch, New Zealand, and also mentioned the upcoming visit of the Royal New Zealand Navy Ship *HMNZS Te Kaha* to Mumbai.
Prime Minister Luxon conveyed New Zealand's interest in joining the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI). Prime Minister Modi welcomed New Zealand's participation in this collaborative effort with like-minded nations focused on managing, conserving, and sustaining the maritime domain. Additionally, both countries are exploring further maritime cooperation, with discussions underway among experts regarding the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) being developed in Lothal, Gujarat.
The leaders highlighted the ongoing cooperation between India and New Zealand in various regional forums, including ASEAN-led platforms such as the East Asia Summit, the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus, and the ASEAN Regional Forum. They reaffirmed the significance of these regional bodies and the central role of ASEAN in advancing security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, stressing the importance of all parties working to maintain peace and stability in the region.
Both leaders underscored the need for a robust multilateral system, centered around a United Nations that reflects current global realities, as crucial for addressing global challenges. They called for UN reforms, particularly the expansion of the Security Council's membership, to make it more representative, credible, and effective. New Zealand expressed support for India's bid for permanent membership in a reformed UN Security Council. The two sides agreed to explore the possibility of backing each other's candidacies in multilateral forums.
Additionally, the leaders emphasized the importance of upholding the global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime, acknowledging the significance of India's potential membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group in terms of supporting its clean energy goals and bolstering its non-proliferation credentials.
