In a significant diplomatic move, New Zealand has reaffirmed its intent to work closely with India in the domains of defence and security. Speaking during his visit to New Delhi on May 30, 2025, Winston Peters, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand, described India as a geopolitical giant and stressed the urgent need for closer cooperation in a time of global uncertainty.

Addressing a fireside chat organised by the Ananta Aspen Centre, Peters shared insights into New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, stating that the country was stepping up its engagement with India in defence and strategic affairs. This includes the signing of a Defence Cooperation Arrangement, which aims to deepen military-to-military ties between the two nations.

Security cooperation is growing rapidly, according to Peters. He emphasised New Zealand’s active role in Combined Task Force 150, a multinational maritime force responsible for securing key trade routes and combating piracy, terrorism, and smuggling in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden. He also noted that New Zealand stood with India following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, sending condolences and reaffirming commitment to joint security initiatives.

Highlighting the challenges posed by global instability, Peters said that New Zealand has reset its foreign policy priorities and is now significantly increasing focus on South Asia and Southeast Asia. This realignment recognises the increasing importance of these regions in the global security and economic order.

Calling for a greater emphasis on diplomacy, Peters remarked that the world needs more engagement and compromise. He said, diplomacy must be inclusive, allowing both large and small states to contribute meaningfully to peace and security. He pointed out that New Zealand, as a small state, believes all countries are equal, and stressed that instability anywhere affects everyone.

One of the key takeaways from Peters' remarks was the importance of freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific. Given that New Zealand is a maritime nation, Peters made it clear that maintaining secure and open sea lanes is essential both for New Zealand and for partners like India. He reiterated that India plays a critical role in regional maritime security, and any disruption to this stability could have broad international repercussions.

During the visit, Peters held formal discussions with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on May 29, 2025. These talks further consolidated the growing alignment between the two countries on regional and global matters. The visit marks the second high-level exchange in recent months — following Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s visit to India from March 16 to 20, when the two sides announced the launch of a Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (CFTA).

Calling the FTA negotiations a breakthrough, Peters said it would significantly strengthen India–New Zealand economic relations. Trade and investment ties are expected to expand rapidly once the agreement is finalised, opening new avenues for collaboration in technology, services, agriculture, and education.

In a significant political gesture, Peters also met with Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi during his visit. They discussed democratic values and recent political developments in both countries, reflecting New Zealand’s commitment to engaging across the political spectrum in India.

This renewed focus on India reflects New Zealand’s broader strategy of building robust partnerships in Asia’s dynamic geopolitical landscape. As global power balances shift and multilateral institutions face strain, countries like New Zealand are seeking stable, reliable partners to safeguard their strategic and economic interests.

India, with its growing international stature and central location in the Indo-Pacific, is being seen as an anchor of stability. From defence cooperation to maritime security, and from diplomacy to free trade, the two countries are finding more common ground than ever before.

For India, this partnership comes at a time when it is increasingly looking to expand its influence beyond South Asia and position itself as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region. New Zealand, in turn, gains a reliable partner in a complex and contested environment.

The Defence Cooperation Arrangement, though not a full-fledged military alliance, is a step towards interoperability and strategic alignment. It allows for information sharing, joint exercises, capacity building, and stronger institutional ties between the two militaries.

As the world navigates through a period marked by wars, disrupted supply chains, economic shocks, and climate challenges, alliances like the one between India and New Zealand offer a model for flexible, responsive, and principle-driven cooperation.

Looking ahead, both countries are expected to focus on operationalising the CFTA, enhancing maritime domain awareness, and developing mechanisms for counter-terrorism and humanitarian assistance in the region. The tone of the visit and the strategic messages from Peters suggest that India–New Zealand ties are entering a new phase—one that is not only mutually beneficial but also strategically imperative in the current global context.

In sum, the recent visit by Winston Peters marks a turning point in India–New Zealand relations. With a growing convergence of values and interests, and with both nations committed to peace, prosperity, and rule-based order, this relationship is set to deepen in the years to come

The Upcoming IPOs in this week and coming weeks are Ganga Bath Fittings, Victory Electric Vehicles International, Wagons Learning.

The Current active IPO are 3B Films, N R Vandana Tex Industries, Scoda Tubes, Neptune Petrochemicals.

Start your Stock Market Journey and Apply in IPO by Opening Free Demat Account in Choice Broking FinX.

Join our Trading with CA Abhay Telegram Channel for regular Stock Market Trading and Investment Calls by CA Abhay Varn - SEBI Registered Research Analyst.