New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s five-day visit to India from March 16-21, 2025, has sparked significant interest. His itinerary, which includes high-level diplomatic meetings, engagements with the film fraternity and interactions with top cricketers, reflects a renewed focus on India-New Zealand relations. However, one of the most noteworthy moments was his tour of INS Surat, India’s latest indigenously built destroyer, alongside Rear Admiral Garin Golding, Chief of the Royal New Zealand Navy.
This sudden surge in bilateral engagement raises a critical question—why now?
Strengthening Naval Cooperation: A Strategic Shift?
Luxon’s visit to INS Surat on March 20, at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, alongside Indian naval officials, underscores a growing maritime partnership. He was cordially welcomed aboard by VAdm Sanjay J Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C), Western Naval Command (WNC), where discussions revolved around technical support for the upcoming visit of the HMNZS Te Kaha in April 2025 (PIB, 2025).
Coinciding with his trip, HMNZS Te Kaha is making a port call in India from March 20-24, paving the way for deeper technical and operational cooperation. Rear Admiral Golding’s meetings with Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, India’s Chief of Naval Staff, further highlight the strengthening of defence ties between the two nations.
Adding weight to these developments, both countries signed a Defence Cooperation Agreement on March 17, signalling a long-term commitment to maritime security and regional stability. This aligns with India’s inclusion in the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), a multinational naval partnership dedicated to securing vital sea lanes. In addition, Cmde Rodger Ward, Commander of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, is also visiting HQWNC. These visits mark a significant step towards furthering the relationship between the RNZN and the Indian Navy (IN) (Statesman News Service, 2025).
Historically, New Zealand has maintained a limited defence engagement with India. However, with the Indo-Pacific becoming a focal point of global geopolitics, both countries are re-evaluating their strategies. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to securing maritime trade routes, conducting joint military training, and expanding naval exercises.
India’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific aligns with New Zealand’s strategic concerns, particularly in ensuring open sea lanes and countering regional threats. The visit also discussed capacity-building programs, officer training exchanges, and collaborative initiatives such as the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) to “manage, conserve and sustain the maritime domain” (Ibid, 2025). Furthering their maritime cooperation, experts from both nations discussed potential collaborations on the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC), a project being developed in Lothal, Gujarat.
A Stronger Economic Partnership
While defence cooperation took center stage, economic ties were equally prominent in the discussions. Prime Ministers Luxon and Modi announced the launch of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations aimed at fostering economic integration. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal described the initiative as a “full-fledged Comprehensive Economic Partnership,” highlighting India’s expanding global trade presence and New Zealand’s drive to diversify its economic partnerships (The Hindu, 2025).
At the India-New Zealand Economic Summit, organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Luxon expressed confidence in the deal, stating, “Let’s drive this relationship forward, and I look forward to Prime Minister Modi signing that agreement in 60 days’ time.” Goyal echoed this sentiment, emphasising the mutual aspiration for swift progress.
New Zealand is keen to secure commercially meaningful outcomes across various sectors by reducing trade barriers, expanding exports, and increasing investment flows. The FTA aligns with Wellington’s broader goal of doubling its export value within the next decade. Negotiations are set to commence in April 2025 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 2025).
Beyond the FTA, the Authorized Economic Operators Mutual Recognition Arrangement (AEO-MRA)—signed in 2024 under the Customs Cooperation Arrangement (CCA)—is expected to simplify customs procedures and facilitate smoother trade (PIB, 2025). This will particularly benefit key Indian exports to New Zealand, such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, refined petroleum, and agricultural machinery.
Additionally, the leaders explored the early implementation of digital payment cooperation, a step that could enhance trade efficiency and financial integration between the two economies(MEA, 2025). The commitment to fast-track these initiatives signals an intent to diversify economic collaboration beyond traditional sectors like dairy and agriculture.
Bollywood, Cricket, and Soft Power Diplomacy
Another intriguing facet of Luxon’s visit was his engagement with India’s film and sports industries. His meetings with Bollywood personalities and leading cricketers reflect an interest in leveraging cultural diplomacy to strengthen bilateral ties.
New Zealand has long been a favoured location for Indian filmmakers, and discussions around enhancing film collaborations suggest a push to boost tourism and entertainment-driven economic exchanges (First Post, 2025). Similarly, cricket—deeply ingrained in the cultures of both nations—was a focal point of discussions, with talks on coaching programs, exchange initiatives, and potential IPL collaborations. These initiatives highlight New Zealand’s soft power approach, complementing its diplomatic and economic outreach.
A Geopolitical Recalibration
The timing of this high-profile visit is significant. As geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific evolve, New Zealand is recalibrating its foreign policy to align more closely with key regional players. Strengthening ties with India—an emerging global power—offers multiple strategic benefits, ranging from enhanced security cooperation to expanded trade and multilateral engagement.
India’s increasing leadership in regional forums such as the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus and the East Asia Summit presents an opportunity for New Zealand to deepen its engagement in the Indo-Pacific security framework (MEA, 2025). With a trade war seemingly emerging, India’s role in New Zealand’s trade profile is becoming increasingly vital. In response, New Zealand has committed to strengthening ties with India and fostering deeper economic engagement.
The visit also included discussions on broader global issues, including the Middle East conflict and India’s diplomatic advocacy for a two-state solution. Both leaders called for continued negotiations to achieve lasting peace, including the release of all hostages and unimpeded humanitarian access in Gaza. They reaffirmed support for a two-state solution, ensuring a sovereign Palestine coexists peacefully with Israel within secure and recognised borders (MEA, 2025).
A key milestone of the visit was the signing of the India-New Zealand Memorandum of Understanding for Defence Cooperation, which lays the foundation for sustained engagement in the defence sector. Both leaders emphasized the importance of ensuring the security of sea lanes and agreed on the necessity of regular dialogues to enhance maritime safety.
Conclusion: A Relationship Poised for Growth
Christopher Luxon’s visit to India has set the stage for a deeper, multifaceted partnership. From maritime security and defence cooperation to economic expansion and cultural diplomacy, the visit has reshaped India-New Zealand relations.
The extensive attention it has garnered underscores its importance in strengthening bilateral ties and shaping the broader Indo-Pacific strategic landscape. As new agreements and initiatives take shape, the key question remains—will this visit mark the beginning of a long-term strategic shift, or will it remain a diplomatic milestone without lasting impact?
Only time will tell. But for now, Luxon’s India visit has certainly made waves.
