India, New Zealand elevate ties to strategic partnership; set Rs 35,000-cr trade target by 2030

Auckland, Jul 11 (PTI) India and New Zealand on Saturday elevated their ties to a strategic partnership, set a target of doubling their annual bilateral trade to Rs 35,000 crore by 2030 and decided to ramp up maritime security ties, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Kiwi counterpart Christopher Luxon vowed to work towards a peaceful Indo-Pacific. The talks between the two leaders yielded 18 concrete outcomes, including 10 agreements. Key among them were a four-year roadmap to expand overall relations alongside three crucial pacts aimed at boosting hydrographic data sharing, facilitating mutual naval logistics and framing enhanced maritime engagement in the Indo-Pacific. Expanding bilateral trade through the early implementation of the free trade deal was also a key focus of the talks, underscored by Wellington's commitment to invest USD 20 billion in India over the next 15 years. A joint statement noted that Modi and Luxon reaffirmed their shared commitment to a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific. They also emphasised the importance of safeguarding sovereignty, territorial integrity and the rules-based international order. The resolve by the two countries to work jointly for a peaceful Indo-Pacific comes amid growing global concerns over China's increasing military muscle-flexing in the region, including apprehensions over its test of a submarine-launched, long-range ballistic missile earlier this week. In line with the focus on boosting Indo-Pacific cooperation, the two sides also agreed to establish a maritime security dialogue, besides a joint working group on counter-terrorism. An India-New Zealand joint action plan on sport was also firmed up. It provides for collaboration in high-performance sports, sports science, sports medicine and athlete development. Modi landed in Auckland last night to a warm welcome in the final leg of his three-nation tour - after visiting Indonesia and Australia - that largely focused on ramping up cooperation in the Indo-Pacific against the backdrop of China's increasing assertiveness in the region. The visit came following the recent signing of the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement. "We have decided to elevate our ties to a strategic partnership. We will move forward across every sector with clear goals and concrete outcomes," Modi said after the talks. The two prime ministers called for freedom of navigation and overflight, and other lawful uses of the seas, in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the joint statement noted. In his remarks at the meeting, Modi said deeper cooperation between India and New Zealand, both maritime nations, will inject new strength into the Indo-Pacific. "As two maritime nations, our close cooperation, lends new strength to the Indo-Pacific, and our ties can infuse fresh energy into achieving our shared goals of peace," he said in Hindi. The two prime ministers agreed to work towards doubling bilateral two-way trade in goods and services to 7 billion New Zealand dollars, or approximately Rs 35,000 crore, by 2030. Currently, the volume of bilateral annual trade between India and New Zealand stands at around Rs 18,000 crore. "A firm belief in democratic values makes us natural partners. Moreover, as two maritime nations, our close cooperation lends new strength to the Indo-Pacific, and our relationship can infuse new energy into achieving our goals of peace," PM Modi said. "I am confident that my visit will further strengthen our bilateral relations and enhance our contribution to global peace, stability, and security. We can act as a catalyst, advocate for peace, and - through peace - advance towards global well-being," he said. Modi and Luxon, delving into the West Asia conflict, expressed concern over renewed escalation of tensions and called upon all parties to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions and ensure protection of civilians, the joint statement said. "They called for full restoration of freedom of navigation and the global flow of commerce through the Strait of Hormuz, while opposing any constraints on shipping," it said. The two leaders reiterated the importance of dialogue and diplomacy, and adherence to international law to achieve a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict. Modi and Luxon also pitched for "bold and effective" reform of the United Nations and affirmed their support for expansion of the Security Council. In this regard, New Zealand reaffirmed its support for India’s permanent membership of a reformed and expanded United Nations Security Council. The two leaders also discussed the importance of stable, transparent and resilient supply chains and recognised the "important role" that India is playing in strengthening resilience across global energy networks. "They expressed deep concern about the impacts of disruptions across the Indo Pacific, noting that the stability of global supply routes is essential to the region," the joint statement said. The two sides noted that this is particularly acute for Pacific Island countries, where economies are heavily exposed and higher oil prices are driving increases in costs of electricity generation, shipping, transportation, agriculture, and fisheries. On the Ukraine issue, Modi and Luxon expressed concern over the ongoing war, which continues to "cause immense human suffering and global consequences," according to the statement. The two leaders also reiterated their condemnation of terrorism in all its forms including cross-border terrorism. Both leaders condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and the terror incident near Delhi’s Red Fort last year, and stressed that those responsible for the attacks should be held accountable. They called for a "zero-tolerance" approach to terrorism, and underlined the need for disrupting terror financing networks and safe havens. PTI MPB ABD ABD