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India and New Zealand Elevate Ties to Strategic Partnership

The Roadmap to 2030 makes implementation of the new FTA along with defence, maritime and counter‑terrorism arrangements the immediate priority.

Overview

  • On Saturday, July 11, 2026, Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Christopher Luxon formally upgraded bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership and endorsed an IndiaNew Zealand Strategic Partnership: Roadmap to 2030.
  • The summit produced 18 outcomes, including 10 signed agreements and a Free Trade Agreement negotiated in about nine months that leaders say underpins a plan to double two‑way trade by 2030.
  • New security pacts include a Maritime Cooperation Arrangement, an annual Maritime Security Dialogue, mutual logistics support for naval forces and hydrography cooperation to boost information sharing and joint activities in the Indo‑Pacific.
  • A Joint Working Group on Counter‑Terrorism was created and both leaders pledged a zero‑tolerance stance on terrorism, including steps to target terror financing and address cross‑border threats.
  • New Zealand announced a reported NZ$20 billion (about US$20 billion) investment commitment over 15 years, but the FTA and several defence and security measures still require domestic implementation and operational follow‑up under the Roadmap.