India and New Zealand Relations

Historical Background

• Diplomatic relations were established in 1952, with missions later upgraded to High Commissions.
• Both are Commonwealth members sharing democratic values and rule of law.
• New Zealand identified India as a priority country under its “Opening Doors to India” policy (2011), reaffirmed through “India–New Zealand 2025: Investing in the Relationship” (2020).

Geopolitical Cooperation

• Both nations share concerns over China’s expanding strategic influence, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and shifting US priorities in global affairs.
• New Zealand holds that smaller nations benefit most from a rules-based international order where rules apply equally regardless of size or power.
• Both sides reaffirmed commitment to a free, open, inclusive, and stable Indo-Pacific, freedom of navigation under UNCLOS (1982), and peaceful resolution of disputes.
• In 2025, both cooperated under Combined Task Force-150 (CTF-150), New Zealand as Commander, India as Deputy Commander, combating narcotics trafficking and maritime terrorism in the Middle East and Western Indian Ocean.

Defence Cooperation

• The Defence Cooperation MoU (2025) established a formal institutional framework for bilateral defence engagement.
• The inaugural India–New Zealand Defence Strategic Dialogue was held in New Delhi in 2025.
• The Maritime Security Dialogue was established as a new structured bilateral mechanism.
• Membership in the Five Eyes intelligence alliance.

Geo-economic Cooperation

• New Zealand is India’s second-largest trading partner in Oceania, with bilateral trade at NZ$3.95 billion (~USD 2.4 bn).
• India exports pharmaceuticals, machinery, textiles, and precious stones while importing wool, iron and steel, fruits, and aluminium. India maintains a positive trade balance.
• Under the FTA (2026), India opened 70.03% of tariff lines, keeping 29.97% under exclusion, covering 95% bilateral trade.
• India’s services exports grew by 13% in 2024, reaching USD 634 million, driven by IT, travel, and business services.
• A Customs Cooperative Arrangement (2024) was signed to strengthen trade facilitation and joint action against transnational organised crime.

People-to-People and Cultural Relations

• The Indian diaspora numbers 3 lakh, forming the 3rd largest ethnic community (5% of New Zealand’s population).
• Hindi is the fifth most spoken language in New Zealand.
• India is the 2nd largest source of international students in New Zealand, with around 8,000 students in IT, engineering, hospitality, and architecture.
• A meaningful cultural link exists between Matariki, the Māori New Year marked by the Pleiades star cluster, and Kritika, the ancient Indian name for the same constellation.

Challenges

• New Zealand’s evolving immigration rules are perceived as disproportionately affecting Indian migrants.
• Labour mobility remains a key unresolved issue in finalising a comprehensive FTA.
• Dairy market access is the most sensitive trade dispute — New Zealand seeks greater entry into India’s dairy market while India protects millions of small dairy farmers.
• Differences persist over pro-Khalistan activities on New Zealand soil, between India’s security priorities and New Zealand’s freedom of expression framework.

The Indian Prime Minister’s visit to New Zealand, the first in 40 years, marked a historic turning point, with both countries elevating their relationship to a Strategic Partnership and launching a Roadmap to 2030.

Key Outcomes of the Recent Visit in 2026

• Both sides set a bilateral trade target of NZ$7 billion by 2030, double the current level.
• The India–New Zealand FTA (2026) was concluded, eliminating duties on 100% of Indian exports to New Zealand.
• New Zealand committed to investing USD 20 bn in India over the next 15 years.
• A Maritime Security Dialogue and a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism were established.
• New Zealand joined India’s Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) and was nominated as a priority partner under India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).
• A Kiwifruit Action Plan was launched along with Centres of Excellence for kiwifruit in Nagaland and Uttarakhand.
• A Joint Action Plan on Sport was signed for collaboration in sports science, sports medicine, and athlete development.

Way Forward

• Fully implement Roadmap 2030 (trade, defence, people-to-people). Time-bound FTA talks on dairy, labour mobility.
• Boost counter-terror cooperation (Khalistani extremism). Expand digital, clean energy, Antarctic collaboration.
• Use Five Eyes ties for intelligence-sharing, regional security.