PM Modi-Christopher Luxon meeting: India, New Zealand ink defence pact

PM Modi and New Zealand PM Luxon discuss strengthening bilateral ties, focusing on trade, defense, education, and agriculture cooperation.

India and New Zealand on Monday (March 17, 2025) inked a mega pact to institutionalise their defence and security ties even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed concerns to his Kiwi counterpart over certain unlawful elements carrying out anti-India activities in the Pacific island nation.

Mr. Modi and visiting New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held wide-ranging talks with a focus on ramping up overall bilateral ties, especially in areas of trade, defence, education and agriculture.

In his media statement, Mr. Modi said both sides decided to strengthen and institutionalise defence and security partnership and a roadmap will be prepared for cooperation in the defence industry sector.

"We both are unanimous against terrorism. Whether it is the Christchurch terrorist attack of March 15, 2019, or the Mumbai attack of November 26, 2008, terrorism in any form is unacceptable," he said.

The Prime Minister said strict action is necessary against those guilty of terrorist attacks.

"We will continue to cooperate together against terrorist, separatist and radical elements," Mr. Modi said.

"In this context, we shared our concern about anti-India activities by some illegal elements in New Zealand," he said.