India and New Zealand advance defence cooperation on maritime security and joint training while implementing Roadmap 2030 and expanding wider strategic and economic ties….reports India Daily News Desk
India and New Zealand have stepped up discussions on defence cooperation, with maritime security, joint training and the implementation of a new strategic roadmap taking centre stage during the second India-New Zealand Defence Strategic Dialogue in Wellington.
The talks underline the growing security dimension of the relationship between New Delhi and Wellington, as both countries seek to expand military engagement and cooperation across a range of areas.
The second India-New Zealand Defence Strategic Dialogue was co-chaired by Amitabh Prasad, Joint Secretary in India’s Ministry of Defence, and Richard Schmidt, Deputy Secretary at the New Zealand Ministry of Defence.
According to the Directorate of Public Relations, Ministry of Defence, the discussions focused on advancing maritime security, joint training and wider defence cooperation, while also working towards the objectives of the India-New Zealand Strategic Partnership Roadmap 2030.
The roadmap was announced earlier this year during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to New Zealand in July. Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon agreed to establish the framework as a shared plan for guiding bilateral cooperation over the next four years.
Defence and security cooperation is one of six key pillars identified under the partnership.
The Roadmap 2030 sets out plans for continued military interaction through exercises, visits by maritime, air and land units, short-term personnel exchanges, sporting exchanges, defence staff college programmes and high-level defence dialogues.
India and New Zealand have also agreed to expand discussions on defence-related issues, including at ministerial level, while pursuing greater cooperation on maritime security.
The two countries are additionally working to operationalise a Memorandum of Arrangement establishing a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism.
Cyber security is another area of growing cooperation, with the two sides planning to engage on shared priorities through the India-New Zealand Cyber Dialogue.
The wider defence agenda comes as economic ties between the two countries are also gaining momentum following the signing of a free trade agreement.
A report by Australia-based Westpac Institutional Bank said India’s rapid economic growth and huge consumer market could generate significant long-term benefits for New Zealand.
The report estimated that the trade agreement could add close to 0.1% to New Zealand’s gross domestic product over the next decade.
It described India as one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies and highlighted its population of around 1.4 billion people as a major opportunity for New Zealand exporters.
Under the agreement, 95% of New Zealand’s current exports are expected to receive tariff elimination or substantial tariff reductions. The report estimated tariff savings at around NZ$43 million a year from the first day of implementation, rising to approximately NZ$62 million when the agreement is fully implemented, based on current trade levels.
Westpac said the benefits could increase as India’s economy expands, particularly if the agreement encourages a larger share of New Zealand’s trade to be directed towards the Indian market.
The potential gains extend beyond goods, with investment, services, tourism and education also expected to benefit from closer economic ties.
The report also highlighted the strategic importance of greater economic diversification for New Zealand, which currently has India as its 10th-largest export market despite the scale of the Indian economy.
The agreement is expected to improve customs procedures, with Indian authorities committing to release goods within 48 hours and endeavouring to clear perishable goods within 24 hours.
However, most dairy products remain outside the agreement or are subject to quotas and phased liberalisation.
The simultaneous expansion of defence and economic ties points to a broader strengthening of India-New Zealand relations. While the two countries have traditionally maintained close diplomatic links, the latest initiatives are widening the partnership into maritime security, counter-terrorism, cyber cooperation, military training, trade and investment.
