India, New Zealand forge strategic partnership, target trade boost by 2030

Newdelhi,UPDATED: Jul 11, 2026 17:16 IST

India and New Zealand on Saturday elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership, set a target of doubling annual bilateral trade to Rs 35,000 crore by 2030, and decided to step up maritime security ties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon also vowed to work towards a peaceful Indo-Pacific.

The broad push to deepen ties came during Modi's two-day visit to New Zealand, which ended later in the day. In Auckland, Modi said an India-New Zealand free trade agreement would add "depth and dynamism" to economic ties and open new opportunities for market access, investment and talent mobility.

The strategic partnership announcement marked the centrepiece of Modi's talks with Luxon, with both sides outlining plans to expand trade and strengthen cooperation at sea. The two countries also set the 2030 target for bilateral trade as part of the wider effort to broaden engagement.

Addressing the Indian diaspora, Modi said India's pace of development was unprecedented despite global challenges and asserted that the country was giving the world a "new model of development".

Modi also met New Zealand Opposition Leader Chris Hipkins and discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations, including people-to-people ties. During the visit, he toured an exhibition showcasing New Zealand's sports equipment and technologies, demonstrated by some of the country's leading athletes and sporting icons.

Modi later departed for home after concluding the visit, which saw India and New Zealand raise ties to a strategic partnership and lay out plans to deepen cooperation in trade, maritime security and wider bilateral engagement.

With PTI Inputs

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