India, New Zealand Deepen Defence Cooperation
Second Defence Strategic Dialogue focuses on maritime security and joint military engagement
- India and New Zealand held their second Defence Strategic Dialogue in Wellington.
- Both sides discussed maritime security, joint training and military exchanges.
- Delegations reviewed implementation of the Strategic Partnership Roadmap 2030.
- The two countries agreed to maintain regular high-level and ministerial engagements.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 25th Aug: India and New Zealand held the second edition of their Defence Strategic Dialogue in Wellington on August 24, focusing on strengthening maritime security and expanding bilateral defence cooperation.
The dialogue was co-chaired by Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence Amitabh Prasad and New Zealand Deputy Secretary of Defence Richard Schmidt.
The discussions followed the summit-level engagement between the two countries last month and focused on implementing the India-New Zealand Strategic Partnership Roadmap 2030.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific. They discussed expanding military-to-military cooperation through joint training exercises, cross-service personnel exchanges and defence staff college partnerships involving maritime, air and land forces.
The Indian delegation also held meetings with senior New Zealand Defence Force and Ministry of Defence officials, including the Vice Chief of Defence Force, Commander Joint Forces New Zealand and Deputy Secretary Capability Delivery.
The engagements covered joint capital procurement insights, operational coordination and preparations for upcoming defence activities.
The two countries agreed to accelerate cooperation through regular high-level and ministerial exchanges, with both sides emphasising defence and security as an important pillar of the India-New Zealand strategic partnership.
