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New Zealand and India form strategic defence and security partnership
The move follows New Zealand’s April free-trade pact with India, which Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has said is an economic boon.
New Zealand and India announced a strategic partnership covering defence and security during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to New Zealand, where Prime Minister Christopher Luxon hosted him with an indigenous Maori welcome and a guard of honour, according to SCMP Economy citing Agence France-Presse.
The announcement came after Modi completed a regional tour that included stops in Indonesia and Australia, and was made at the tail end of a July 6 to 11 trip that also coincided with concerns in the Pacific after China test-fired a ballistic missile into the region, the outlet reported.
SCMP Economy said the partnership was presented as a step toward expanding bilateral ties, with Modi calling it a “milestone” aimed at increasing energy and confidence in the relationship.
The visit also marked the first time an Indian prime minister had visited New Zealand in 40 years, and was framed by the outlet as reflecting deeper engagement at a time of strengthened Chinese diplomatic and military presence in the Pacific.