India, New Zealand Strengthen Security Partnership, Reaffirm Zero Tolerance Against Terrorism

Auckland/New Delhi, July 2026 : India and New Zealand on Saturday significantly strengthened their strategic partnership by reaffirming a shared commitment to combat terrorism, enhance cyber security, and tackle emerging transnational security threats. During bilateral talks in Auckland, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon agreed to deepen cooperation through regional and multilateral platforms to promote peace, stability and resilience in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

According to a joint statement issued by India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), both leaders pledged to intensify collaboration on counter-terrorism, cyber security and other evolving security challenges through sustained dialogue and institutional cooperation.

“The Prime Ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening cooperation on counter-terrorism, cyber security and related security challenges. They agreed to explore opportunities for closer engagement, including through dialogue and collaboration in relevant regional and multilateral settings, with a view to supporting international peace, security and resilience,” the statement said.

A key highlight of the discussions was the unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism. Both leaders strongly denounced the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, as well as the terror incident near Delhi’s Red Fort on November 10, 2025. They stressed that those responsible for planning, financing and carrying out such attacks must be brought to justice without delay.

Reiterating their commitment to a zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism, the two Prime Ministers called for coordinated global efforts to dismantle terrorist networks, eliminate safe havens and disrupt terror financing channels. They also emphasized the need to combat online radicalisation and destroy digital infrastructure used by terrorist organisations.

The joint statement noted that both countries would strengthen cooperation against terrorism and violent extremism through greater intelligence sharing and institutional coordination. In this regard, the leaders welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Arrangement (MoA) establishing a Joint Working Group (JWG) on Counter-Terrorism, which will serve as a dedicated platform for exchanging information, expertise and best practices.

Beyond terrorism, India and New Zealand agreed to expand practical law enforcement cooperation to address a wide range of transnational and organised crimes. These include illicit drug trafficking, financial crimes, cyber-enabled offences, terrorism-related activities, people smuggling and human trafficking.

The two sides also agreed to work towards the early formalisation of agreements on counter-narcotics cooperation and broader law enforcement collaboration between relevant agencies in both countries. Officials believe these frameworks will significantly enhance information sharing and operational coordination in tackling cross-border criminal networks.

Regional security and developments in the Indo-Pacific also featured prominently during the discussions. Prime Ministers Modi and Luxon exchanged views on their respective approaches to the region while reaffirming their shared commitment to maintaining a free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific based on respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and the rules-based international order.

The leaders reiterated their support for freedom of navigation and overflight, along with other lawful uses of the seas, in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They also stressed that all disputes should be resolved peacefully through dialogue and in accordance with international legal principles.

The joint statement underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation through ASEAN-led mechanisms and other regional forums, including the East Asia Summit, the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus). Both leaders reaffirmed their support for ASEAN centrality and endorsed the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific as an important framework for promoting regional stability and inclusive cooperation.

The discussions reflected the growing strategic convergence between India and New Zealand on regional and global security issues. With the elevation of bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership during Prime Minister Modi’s landmark visit, both countries have committed themselves to closer collaboration across defence, security, cyber resilience and law enforcement, while working together to uphold peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.