India and New Zealand Sign Five Agreements

On 17th March 2025, India and New Zealand signed five agreements covering Defence, Education, Sports, Horticulture, and Forestry, alongside an economic cooperation pact.

Key Points

Bilateral Agreements Signed: Both countries exchanged the Authorized Economic Operator Mutual Recognition Agreement and launched negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement.
Defence & Security Partnership: Plans to institutionalize defence ties, conduct joint exercises, training, and port visits, and develop a roadmap for defence industry collaboration.
Economic & Workforce Mobility Talks: Discussions began on facilitating professional and skilled worker mobility between the two nations.
Indo-Pacific & Global Cooperation: New Zealand joined the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative and became a member of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
Regional Security & Counterterrorism: Both sides reaffirmed commitments to a Free, Open, Secure, and Prosperous Indo-Pacific and pledged to combat terrorism, separatism, and radical elements.
Diplomatic Engagements: New Zealand announced plans to expand its diplomatic presence in India.