New Zealands foreign minister, Winston Peters, said on Wednesday that his country and India are determined to collaborate more closely to tackle security issues in the Indo-Pacific region and that they both want the area to be recognized for upholding the rule of law and peacefully resolving conflicts. Tuesday in New Delhi saw a meeting between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters of New Zealand. As he wrapped up his four-day visit to India, Peters stated that he and his Indian counterpart, S Jaishankar, had committed to work together to generate more opportunities and fortify the bilateral relationship during their meeting on Tuesday. Peters traveled to New Delhi and Gujarat with the goal of enhancing ties in the areas of trade and security.Watch the leaders meet:#WATCH | New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters and EAM Dr S Jaishankar held a bilateral meeting today in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/xHCjpOj1oZ— ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2024Topics discussed In addition to Jaishankar, Peters also had meetings with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. According to Peters, he spoke with Indian authorities about a range of topics, including social and cultural ties, trade and economic cooperation, measures to battle climate change, and strategic security and defense relationships.Peters addressed topics like education, agro-technology, air connectivity, tourism, and the potential that may be realized through an improved economic collaboration during his talks on trade and economic ties in New Delhi and Gujarat.Working toward security concernsThe coalition government in New Zealand has made improving ties with India a top priority in order to reap future benefits for both countries. According to Peters, there is no doubt that New Zealand and India have similar strategic viewpoints regarding the security threats that the Indo-Pacific region faces, and they are determined to work together more to address these problems. Regarding his encounter with Jaishankar, Peters mentioned that the two of them decided to collaborate in order to generate more prospects and accomplish a step-up in the relationship, which would involve more high-level political trips in both directions in 2024.Direct flightsDuring the visit, a stronger air services agreement was inked between the two countries, making code-sharing for flights between India and New Zealand easier. In the coming years, Peters expressed optimism that direct flights between India and New Zealand will be feasible, even though he admitted that the decision ultimately rests with the national carriers.What is common between India and New Zealand He stated that New Zealand and India are democracies that collaborate with like-minded nations like Australia and Japan to guarantee an Indo-Pacific region that upholds the rule of law, permits unhindered travel, and settles conflicts amicably. He went on to say that New Zealands efforts to improve bilateral ties with India and to foster greater collaboration throughout the Indo-Pacific region, including with Pacific Island nations, are motivated by these common values.India is becoming more and more significant to the economy, security, and society of New Zealand. India is the greatest source of skilled migrants and the second-largest supplier of international students in New Zealand, with a population of 300,000 living abroad.India and New Zealands future collaborationsIn order to investigate how New Zealand and India may collaborate on enhancing economic connectivity with the Pacific, Peters also took part in an event with officials and business people from the Indian government as well as representatives of Pacific Island nations. He stated that we should be working together more in the Pacific Islands region because New Zealand and India have strong historical, cultural, and commercial linkages to the area.Peters expressed that New Zealand and India are two nations that can, should, and will collaborate more. According to him, his visit showed a shared commitment to investing more in creating a wide-ranging, mutually beneficial partnership.
