India and New Zealand elevated their relationship to a Strategic Partnership after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, marking the most significant upgrade in bilateral ties in decades. The leaders announced 18 outcomes including 10 agreements spanning defence, maritime security, trade, supply chains and regional cooperation. They launched a Maritime Security Dialogue, a reciprocal logistics support arrangement between the Indian Navy and the New Zealand Defence Force, and a maritime cooperation pact between their defence ministries.

The two governments also agreed a roadmap to expand bilateral engagement over the next four years and set an ambitious target to double bilateral trade in goods and services to NZ$7 billion by 2030, equivalent to Rs 350 billion (Rs 350 bn). Both sides committed to ensure early implementation of the recently signed India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement and to deepen cooperation on resilient and transparent supply chains. Officials said enhanced economic ties would create opportunities for businesses and people in both countries.

The joint statement reiterated commitment to a free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific, stressing respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and the rules-based international order under UNCLOS. Leaders institutionalised a maritime security dialogue to enhance coordination, information-sharing and maritime domain awareness and reiterated support for freedom of navigation and overflight. They expressed concern about disruptions to global commerce and called for full restoration of freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz while opposing constraints on shipping.

Both leaders noted New Zealand's growing strategic engagement with India as Wellington seeks to diversify partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and New Delhi's efforts to strengthen cooperation with like-minded maritime democracies amid expanding regional influence from major powers. They voiced concern over the situation in West Asia and over the continuing war in Ukraine, urging dialogue and diplomacy as the path to lasting peace. During a community event in Auckland attended by more than 10,000 members of the Indian diaspora, the prime minister highlighted India's rapid economic growth and described the upgraded partnership as opening a new voyage of opportunities.