India and New Zealand today signed five key Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) covering defence, animal husbandry and dairy, tourism, sports, and disaster management, marking a new chapter in bilateral ties between the two nations.
The deals were inked following delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon in Auckland.
The two countries signed a memorandum of arrangement between the Ministry of Defence and the New Zealand Defence Force to enhance maritime cooperation, aimed at strengthening security in the Indo-Pacific region.
The agreement on animal husbandry and dairy will promote research, innovation and the exchange of best practices. The tourism pact is expected to boost visitor exchanges and strengthen cooperation in the travel sector.
Both sides also adopted a Joint Action Plan on Sport to deepen collaboration in sports development and athlete exchanges.
An MoU on disaster management will enhance cooperation in disaster preparedness, emergency response and resilience.
The five agreements reflect the growing India-New Zealand partnership and the shared commitment to expand cooperation across strategic, economic and people-to-people sectors.
Earlier, speaking during delegation-level talks, Prime Minister Modi said that his visit to New Zealand marks a historic milestone in bilateral relations and will give fresh momentum to ties between the two countries.
Mr Modi thanked the people and leadership of New Zealand for their warmth and support, saying the visit of an Indian Prime Minister after four decades reflects the growing strength of the partnership.
Hailing the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries, Mr Modi appreciated New Zealand’s efforts in concluding the FTA process in a short period and thanked Prime Minister Luxon and his government for their leadership.
He said the two countries have now taken a significant step by establishing a strategic partnership, which will guide future cooperation.
Highlighting the shared democratic values and maritime ties between the two nations, Prime Minister Modi said India and New Zealand can play an important role in strengthening peace, stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
He expressed confidence that the visit would further deepen bilateral relations and enhance cooperation for global peace and prosperity.
Speaking on the occasion, the New Zealand prime minister described Mr Modi’s visit as a historic milestone, marking the first visit by an Indian prime minister to New Zealand in 40 years.
Welcoming Prime Minister Modi, Mr Luxon said it was a pleasure and an honour to host him, adding that the visit reflects the growing strength of bilateral ties.
He said the two countries have made significant progress on the trade agenda and emphasised that the relationship extends beyond the Free Trade Agreement.
Mr Luxon also announced that India and New Zealand will establish a strategic partnership to provide a broader framework for expanding cooperation across key sectors.
The bilateral discussions were preceded by a ceremonial welcome at the Government House, where Prime Minister Modi was accorded a Guard of Honour.
Later in the day, Prime Minister Modi will also interact with prominent business and sports personalities. In a reflection of the strong people-to-people ties that exist between the two countries, Mr Modi will address a large gathering of the Indian Diaspora today.
Prime Minister Modi arrived in Auckland yesterday on the third and final leg of his three-nation tour, after concluding his successful visits to Australia and Indonesia.
In a special gesture, New Zealand Prime Minister personally received Mr Modi at the airport. Members of the Indian community also turned out in large numbers to accord him a warm welcome.
Prime Minister Modi praised the Indian diaspora in New Zealand for preserving India’s rich cultural heritage across generations and continents.
In a series of social media post, Mr Modi also lauded the cultural performances presented during the community reception, saying they reflected India’s rich diversity and civilisational heritage.
Marking the beginning of Prime Minister Modi’s historic two-day visit, New Zealand’s iconic Sky Tower was illuminated in the colours of the Indian tricolour.
This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand in four decades.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared visuals of the illuminated Sky Tower, describing the gesture as a symbol of the strong friendship and growing partnership between India and New Zealand.
