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The inaugural edition of India-New Zealand Defence Strategic Dialogue was held in New Delhi on August 05, 2025 to discuss security perspectives and further bolster bilateral cooperation. The meeting was co-chaired by Joint Secretary (International Cooperation), Ministry of Defence, India Shri Amitabh Prasad and Head of International Branch, Ministry of Defence, New Zealand Ms Kathleen Pearce. 

Both nations expressed satisfaction at the ongoing defence cooperation and identified means to enhance the existing areas of collaboration, especially in the fields of training, capability building, defence industry, maritime security and multinational cooperation. The co-chairs also articulated steps in the direction of emerging areas of cooperation and issues pertaining to global commons. 

The Indian side complimented New Zealand for its successful command of CTF-150 in which five Indian Navy personnel were also deputed as staff. Both sides also discussed ways to build up ongoing White Shipping Information Exchange towards enhancement of information sharing. 

India-New Zealand Defence Strategic Dialogue was constituted under an MoU signed between the two countries in March 2025, a significant milestone in intensifying defence relations.

 India and New Zealand engagements span a wide spectrum of cooperation – political, defence and security collaboration, capacity building and education. These developments reflect mutual trust, shared democratic values, the deep-rooted people-to-people ties and a mutual love for cricket that binds both nations. The bilateral ties gained momentum with the visit of the President of India to New Zealand in August 2024, and bilateral meeting between the Prime Ministers in March 2025.

 As part of the official visit to India, Ms Kathleen Pearce also called on Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth and Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi on August 04, 2025.

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VK/SR/Savvy

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