India, New Zealand firm up ties with trade, defence agreements

India and New Zealand on Monday firmed up an agreement to bolster defence cooperation with an eye on ensuring an open and stable Indo-Pacific, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged New Delhi's concerns about activities of pro-Khalistan elements to his counterpart Christopher Luxon.

- Rezaul H Laskar

NEW DELHI:

The two countries announced the formal launch of negotiations on a free trade agreement and a pact for mobility of professionals and skilled workers, and unveiled a range of measures, from cooperation in digital payments to an arrangement for easier movement of goods, to enhance two-way trade from the current level of about $1.8 billion.

"We have decided to strengthen and institutionalise our defence and security partnership. Along with joint exercises, training and port visits, a roadmap will be made for cooperation in the defence industry," Modi told a joint media interaction after his talks with Luxon.

"Our navies are working together in Combined Task Force-150 for maritime security in the Indian Ocean," he said, speaking in Hindi.

India and New Zealand support a free, open, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific and believe in the "policy of development, not expansionism", Modi said against the backdrop of concerns over China's aggressive behaviour across the region.