Asia & Pacific

India and NZ Move Closer on Defence as Trade Pact Looks More Likely

New Zealand may achieve its long-held ambition of a free trade agreement with India—albeit with some major carve-outs—after signing a new defence agreement.
India and NZ Move Closer on Defence as Trade Pact Looks More Likely
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) speaks with New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon (L) at the 19th East Asia Summit during the 44th and 45th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summits in Vientiane on Oct. 11, 2024. Nhac Nguyen/AFP via Getty Images
Rex Widerstrom
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India and New Zealand have signed a new Defence Cooperation Arrangement, a move that appears to bring the two countries closer to a long-awaited free trade agreement—though significant hurdles remain.

“We have decided to strengthen and institutionalise our defence and security partnership,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said following talks with his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon.

Rex Widerstrom
Rex Widerstrom
Author
Rex Widerstrom is a New Zealand-based reporter with over 40 years of experience in media, including radio and print. He is currently a presenter for Hutt Radio.