Luxon and Modi agree on partnership with trade and maritime security ambitions
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have elevated their nations' relationship to a strategic partnership. The agreement includes goals to double trade and deepen cooperation in areas like maritime security and technology.
Why it matters
This partnership signals a significant shift in geopolitical alignment in the Indo-Pacific region, focusing on economic growth and defense cooperation.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has again batted away concerns over a clause in the India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) requiring the government to "promote" investment in India, despite his Indian counterpart calling it a "commitment".
Luxon has been hosting Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in Auckland, marking the first time in 40 years an Indian prime minister has come to New Zealand.
On Saturday morning, Luxon and Modi "elevated" the relationship between the two nations into a 'strategic partnership', with goals to double trade and deepen defence ties.
Speaking in Hindi, Modi thanked the New Zealand government twice over the course of the day for its "commitment" to $US20 billion of private investment in India within 15 years, and called on New Zealand to be part of India's "unique growth story".
Asked to clarify New Zealand's position on the matter, Luxon said the the FTA included a "commitment to promote" investment.
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