India, New Zealand sign agreements on Defence, Education, horticulture and sports
New Delhi , Mar 17, 2025, By News On Air22
India and New Zealand exchanged five agreements in the fields of Defence, Education, Sports, Horticulture, and Forestry. Both sides also exchanged the Authorized Economic Operator Mutual Recognition Agreement. Both countries announced the launch of negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement and negotiations on an arrangement facilitating the mobility of professionals and skilled workers. New Zealand has joined the Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative and has become a member of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held talks with his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon in New Delhi on Monday. The discussions covered various aspects of India-New Zealand relations. In his press statement, Mr. Modi said they had detailed discussions on various aspects of the bilateral relationship, and both sides decided to strengthen and institutionalize the defence and security partnership. He said that, along with joint exercises, training, and port visits, a roadmap will be prepared for mutual cooperation in the defence industry. The Prime Minister said that it had been decided to initiate negotiations on a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement between the two countries, which will boost the potential for mutual trade and investment. He said, along with coaching and the exchange of players in sports, both sides also emphasized cooperation in sports science, psychology, and medicine.
Mr. Modi said it had been decided to celebrate 100 years of sports relations between the two countries next year. Prime Minister Modi said India shared its concerns regarding anti-India activities by some unlawful elements in New Zealand and expressed confidence that India would continue to receive the support of the New Zealand government against all these illegal elements. The Prime Minister said that, whether it was the Christchurch terror attack of 2019 or the Mumbai attack of 2008, terrorism in any form is unacceptable. He said strict action is necessary against those guilty of terror attacks. Mr. Modi said India and New Zealand will continue to cooperate against terrorist, separatist, and radical elements. He said both sides support a Free, Open, Secure, and Prosperous Indo-Pacific and believe in the policy of development, not expansionism.
In his statement, Mr. Luxon said both sides looking forward to achieve a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement. He said New Zealand will increase its diplomatic presence in India. Mr. Luxon will call on President Droupadi Murmu this evening at Rashtrapati Bhawan.
Later, briefing the media, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs Jaideep Mazumdar said there had been several high-level contacts between India and New Zealand in the past year. He said Mr. Luxon telephonically congratulated Mr. Modi after he won his third term as Prime Minister, and Mr. Modi also met Mr. Luxon on the margins of the East Asia Summit in Laos in October last year. Mr. Mazumdar said President Droupadi Murmu undertook a very successful visit to New Zealand in August last year.
On a query regarding discussions on Khalistani elements during the talks, the Secretary said the issue came up. He said India does alert nations to the activities of anti-India elements in their countries, their abuse of freedom of speech and other democratic freedoms to glorify terrorism. Mr. Mazumdar said the government of New Zealand has been receptive and has taken the concerns on board in the past as well.
Mr. Luxon’s visit aims to strengthen the bilateral relationship between both countries, reaffirming their commitment to deepen ties across all sectors and foster people-to-people connections. The New Zealand Prime Minister arrived in New Delhi yesterday on a five-day visit to India. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including ministers, senior officials, businesses, media, and members of the Indian diaspora community. The Prime Minister of New Zealand will visit Mumbai on Wednesday.