India-New Zealand Defence Dialogue Puts Maritime Security, Joint Training in Focus

India and New Zealand step up strategic defence cooperation, with maritime security, joint military training and Roadmap 2030 emerging as key priorities.

Wellington, August 24, 2026; India and New Zealand have stepped up efforts to deepen defence cooperation, with maritime security, military training and wider strategic coordination emerging as key areas of discussion at the second India-New Zealand Defence Strategic Dialogue.

The meeting in Wellington was co-chaired by Joint Secretary Amitabh Prasad from India’s Ministry of Defence and Richard Schmidt, Deputy Secretary at the New Zealand Ministry of Defence. The two sides reviewed ways to expand defence engagement and advance priorities under the India-New Zealand Strategic Partnership Roadmap 2030.

Maritime cooperation and joint training featured prominently in the discussions as both countries seek to strengthen practical military engagement. The roadmap provides a broader framework for expanding bilateral cooperation over the coming years.

Defence and security cooperation is among the six key pillars identified under the partnership framework. India and New Zealand have agreed to enhance military-to-military engagement through exercises, exchanges involving maritime, air and land units, short-term personnel programmes, sporting interactions and defence staff college exchanges.

The two countries are also working to expand consultations on defence issues, including through ministerial-level engagement and greater cooperation in maritime affairs.

Counter-terrorism and cybersecurity remain other important components of the bilateral security agenda. New Delhi and Wellington have agreed to operationalise a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism and strengthen coordination through the India-New Zealand Cyber Dialogue.

The partnership also envisages greater cooperation between law enforcement agencies. Discussions include arrangements covering cooperation against drug trafficking and a proposed framework between India’s National Investigation Agency and the New Zealand Police.

The latest dialogue marks another step towards translating the Roadmap 2030 into concrete defence and security cooperation, while strengthening strategic coordination between India and New Zealand in the Indo-Pacific region.