What happened?
On September 9, 2025, India and New Zealand held Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi, covering defence, trade, education, sports, mobility, customs and people-to-people ties. The talks were led by Secretary (South) Neena Malhotra and Deputy Secretary (Asia Group & Americas) Grahame Morton. The consultations reaffirmed the commitment to deepen the partnership and sustain the momentum of high-level exchanges. he meeting followed Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth’s August discussions with New Zealand Defence Ministry’s Head of International Branch Kathleen Pearce in New Delhi, which reaffirmed strategic cooperation.
Why it matters to India
The consultations build on growing economic and strategic links between the two countries. The second round of negotiations for an India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement concluded in July in New Delhi, with the third round scheduled for September in New Zealand. Bilateral merchandise trade reached USD 1.3 billion in FY 2024–25, up nearly 49 per cent over the previous year. Shared Commonwealth heritage, common law traditions and democratic systems provide a favourable backdrop for deepening cooperation across sectors, supporting India’s goal of stronger economic and strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.