External Affairs Minister of India, S. Jaishankar, on Wednesday held talks with New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters on the sidelines of the ASEAN meetings in Manila, where the two leaders reviewed the Indo-Pacific security landscape and explored ways to deepen maritime cooperation between the two countries.
Sharing details of the meeting on X, Jaishankar described the interaction as productive.
He said, "A useful conversation with FM @winstonpeters of New Zealand @ASEAN #Manila."
He further added, "Shared perspectives on the Indo-Pacific security situation and discussed enhancing our maritime cooperation."
The meeting comes shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited New Zealand from July 10 to 11, during which India and New Zealand elevated their relationship to a Strategic Partnership and unveiled the India-New Zealand Strategic Partnership: Roadmap to 2030. The roadmap outlines a long-term framework to expand cooperation in defence, security, and maritime affairs over the next four years.
Maritime security forms a key component of the agreement, with both countries committing to stronger collaboration in areas such as counter-terrorism, cyber security, and naval engagement. The roadmap also includes the establishment of an annual Maritime Security Dialogue involving India's Ministry of External Affairs and New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Both sides have agreed to strengthen coordination through the implementation of the Maritime Cooperation Arrangement, cooperation in hydrography and nautical cartography, and a Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement focused on the maritime domain. The framework also envisages regular bilateral naval exercises and increased operational cooperation at sea.
The partnership further builds on cooperation under Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) in 2025, where New Zealand will serve as Commander and India as Deputy Commander. The initiative is aimed at combating narcotics trafficking, terrorism, and other illicit maritime activities in the Middle East and the Western Indian Ocean.
India also welcomed New Zealand's decision to prioritise Maritime Security under the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, reflecting the growing strategic alignment between the two nations in ensuring a secure and stable Indo-Pacific region.
With inputs from ANI.
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