PM Modi conveys attention to kiwi PM in anti-Indian activities in New Zealand | India News
New Delhi: India and New Zealand signed an agreement on Monday to institutionalize their defensive links and vowed to promote cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised concerns about Kiwi Christer Christopher Luxon, not on some illegal activities on the island, which attracted attention on some illegal elements of the island.
Following the negotiations between Modi and Luxon, the two sides signed six agreements to strengthen cooperation in multiple areas including education, sports, agriculture and climate change, and decided to prepare for cooperation in the defense industry. In his media statement, Modi said India and New Zealand support a free, open, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific Ocean, adding: “We believe in policy of development, not expansionism,” which is growing globally on China’s expansionist behavior in the region.
According to the joint statement, the two leaders reiterated their commitment to support a sovereign and territorial integrity of the Indo-Pacific. Luxon arrived in the national capital on a five-day visit Sunday, mainly for deeper economic participation between the two sides.
Both prime ministers welcomed negotiations to implement the “balanced, ambitious, comprehensive and mutually beneficial” Free Trade Agreement (FTA) for deeper economic integration. In the context of FTA negotiations, Modi and Luxon agreed to discussions between the various authorities of the two sides to explore the early implementation of cooperation in the field of digital payments.
During negotiations on the trade agreement, the parties agreed to start discussions on arrangements to promote mobility for professionals and skilled workers, mainly to address the challenges of irregular immigration. Modi, in his speech, referred to the terrorist attacks in Christchurch in 2019 and the strike in Mumbai on 26/11, he said that any form of terrorism is “unacceptable”.
“It is necessary to carry out strict action for those who commit terrorist attacks. We will continue to cooperate in cooperation with terrorists, separatist and radical elements,” he said. “In this case, we share the concerns of certain illegal factors in New Zealand on anti-Indian activities. We are confident that we will continue to engage the New Zealand government in cooperation with all these illegal elements.”
Modi said both sides decided to strengthen and institutionalize defense and security partnerships and prepare for cooperation in the field of defense industry. In his speech, Luxon said he and Modi discussed the strategic prospects of the Indo-Pacific. “I reaffirm our shared commitment to addressing our shared concerns about our respective interests to promote a prosperous Indo-Pacific,” he said.
On the proposed FTA, Modi said it would encourage mutual cooperation and investment in areas such as dairy, food processing and pharmaceuticals. Prime Minister Modi also delved into India-New Zealand’s defence tie. “We decided to strengthen and institutionalize our defense and security partnerships. We will also develop joint exercises, training, port visits, roadmaps for mutual cooperation in the defense industry,” he said.
The agreement signed between the parties includes an agreement on the Central Tax and a mutual recognition programme between the Customs of India (CBIC) and New Zealand Customs Services. The joint statement said the defense agreement will further strengthen overall defense ties. Against the backdrop of maritime security, New Zealand welcomes India to join the Joint Maritime Force.
Both Modi and Luxon welcome the advancement of the defense ties in the island command mission 150. The two leaders also touched on pressing global challenges. Regarding the situation in the Middle East, Modi and Luxon reiterated their firm support for peace and stability in the region.
The joint statement said they reaffirmed the call for ongoing negotiations to ensure permanent peace, including the release of all hostages and the rapid, secure and unhindered humanitarian access throughout Gaza. It said the leaders stressed the importance of negotiating a two-state solution, leading to the establishment of a sovereign, viable and independent Palestinian state and living within a secure and mutually recognized border and safe side by side with Israel.
Modi and Luxon also exchanged views on Ukraine’s war and expressed support for just and lasting peace in accordance with respect for international law, the UN charter and the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty. “The two leaders reaffirmed their absolute condemnation of terrorism in all forms and manifestations, as well as the use of terrorists in cross-border terrorism,” the joint statement said.
It said Modi and Luxon stressed the urgent need for all countries to take immediate, continuous, measurable and concrete actions against unshapedated terrorist organizations and individuals. “They call for undermining terrorist financing networks and safe havens, demolishing terrorist infrastructure, including online, and quickly bringing terrorist perpetrators to justice,” it said.
