AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND / RankWire.AI / – India and New Zealand elevated bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership during talks in Auckland on July 11, 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon also endorsed a Roadmap to 2030. The framework covers trade, defense, maritime security, agriculture, education, tourism, science, culture and sport. Modi’s July 10-11 visit marked the first trip to New Zealand by an Indian prime minister in 40 years. The leaders met at Government House after a traditional Māori welcome and a guard of honour.
India and New Zealand set an aspirational goal of doubling two-way goods and services trade by 2030. The target places the 2030 trade goal at NZ$7 billion, or about ₹35,000 crore. They also backed early implementation of the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, signed in New Delhi on April 27, 2026. The agreement covers tariff removal or reductions for 95% of New Zealand exports after full implementation. Both governments encouraged businesses to expand market access, investment, services, technology and skilled mobility.
Modi and Luxon met chief executives and business leaders during the visit. Modi invited New Zealand companies to invest in infrastructure, civil aviation, logistics, clean energy and urban mobility. He also identified water management, waste management, the digital economy, fintech and emerging technology. On food systems, both sides linked New Zealand expertise in dairy, horticulture and forestry with India’s market and food-processing capacity. The leaders supported direct nonstop flights under the updated air services agreement. They also sought closer links between startup and innovation networks.
Maritime and security cooperation expands
The partnership expands defense and security ties across maritime, cyber and counterterrorism work. New agreements cover maritime cooperation, hydrography, nautical charts and reciprocal logistics support for approved naval activity. India and New Zealand will establish an annual Maritime Security Dialogue and conduct bilateral naval exercises. They also created a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism and agreed to strengthen cyber and law enforcement cooperation. New Zealand selected maritime security as its priority pillar under the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, including work on illegal fishing.
Agreements cover disaster management, animal husbandry, dairying, tourism, sport, cultural exchanges and the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal. India and New Zealand launched a Kiwifruit Action Plan and backed two centres of excellence in Nagaland and Uttarakhand. A research agreement connects India’s polar and ocean institute with the University of Canterbury for Antarctic work. Another links NIFTEM Kundli with Massey University on research, academic exchanges and student mobility. New Zealand also joined the Global Biofuels Alliance. The disaster agreement covers earthquake resilience, tsunami preparedness, coastal hazards and emergency capacity.
Roadmap sets framework through 2030
The Roadmap places education, research, science and technology among the partnership’s core areas. Both governments will encourage student mobility, institutional partnerships and innovation links. They also plan cooperation in agriculture, climate, digital transformation and emerging technologies. The countries supported peaceful dispute resolution under international law and cooperation through regional institutions. They backed United Nations reform, and New Zealand restated support for India’s permanent membership of a reformed Security Council. The leaders also recognised the Indian community’s role in New Zealand’s economy, society, culture and sport.
Foreign ministers will hold regular dialogue, while senior officials will meet annually to review implementation. The two governments also plan regular leader, ministerial, parliamentary and official exchanges. The Roadmap does not create financial commitments or legally binding rights under domestic or international law. Modi invited Luxon to visit India after the Auckland talks. The package places the trade target, FTA implementation, security arrangements and sector agreements under one framework through 2030. Both sides said the Roadmap will guide work across their ministries over the next four years.