Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon have signed agreements to deepen defence and economic ties, a day after the nations announced the revival of free trade agreement negotiations.
Modi and Luxon met in New Delhi on Monday and signed agreements on enhancing co-operation in defence, food processing, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy and critical minerals.
Luxon said he held “highly productive meetings” with Modi and other Indian leaders that will improve ties between India and New Zealand. The defence relationship includes joint military training, he said.
“New Zealand is committed to doing more with India across a wide range of areas — defence and security, trade and economics, people-to-people ties, education, tourism, sports and culture,” Luxon said at a joint press conference with Modi.
Luxon was accompanied by business leaders and several parliamentarians on his five-day visit to India.
India and New Zealand on Sunday agreed to revive free trade negotiations that have been stalled for more than 10 years.
The announcement was made after discussions between New Zealand Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay and his Indian counterpart, Piyush Goyal.
India’s Commerce Ministry said the free trade deal between India and New Zealand aims to “achieve balanced outcomes that enhance supply-chain integration and improve market access”. It did not offer other details.
Luxon in a statement on Sunday said: “It is through trade that we can boost the economies of both our countries, providing more jobs and higher incomes for Kiwis and Indians.”
The bilateral trade between India and New Zealand stood at $US1.7 billion ($A2.7 billion) in the 2023-24 financial year.