The inaugural edition of the India-New Zealand Defence Strategic Dialogue was held in New Delhi on Tuesday to discuss security perspectives and further bolster bilateral cooperation.
The meeting was co-chaired by Joint Secretary (International Cooperation), Ministry of Defence, India, Amitabh Prasad, and Head of International Branch, Ministry of Defence, New Zealand, Kathleen Pearce.
“Both nations expressed satisfaction at the ongoing defence cooperation and identified means to enhance the existing areas of collaboration, especially in the fields of training, capability building, defence industry, maritime security and multinational cooperation,” the statement issued by the Indian government said.
The co-chairs also articulated steps in the direction of emerging areas of cooperation and issues pertaining to global commons.
The Indian side complimented New Zealand for its successful command of CTF-150, in which five Indian Navy personnel were also deputed as staff.
Both sides also discussed ways to build up the ongoing White Shipping Information Exchange towards enhancement of information sharing.
The India-New Zealand Defence Strategic Dialogue was constituted under an MoU signed between the two countries in March 2025, a significant milestone in intensifying defence relations.
India and New Zealand engagements span a wide spectrum of cooperation – political, defence and security collaboration, capacity building, and education. These developments reflect mutual trust, shared democratic values, deep-rooted people-to-people ties, and a mutual love for cricket that binds both nations.
The bilateral ties gained momentum with the visit of the President of India to New Zealand in August 2024, and the bilateral meeting between the Prime Ministers in March 2025.
