EAM Jaishankar Meets New Zealand PM Luxon, Reaffirms Shared Vision for a Free and Secure Indo-Pacific

Kuala Lumpur, Oct 2025 : External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar met New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Monday on the sidelines of the ASEAN and East Asia Summits in Kuala Lumpur, reaffirming both nations’ commitment to a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific region.

EAM Jaishankar, who is currently in Malaysia representing Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 20th East Asia Summit, conveyed the Indian Prime Minister’s warm greetings to Luxon. The meeting focused on strengthening strategic cooperation and expanding bilateral partnerships across multiple sectors.

Following the talks, Jaishankar posted on X, stating, “A pleasure meeting PM Christopher Luxon of New Zealand on the sidelines of the ASEAN 2025 meetings. Extended warm greetings from PM Narendra Modi. Welcome his commitment to advance our bilateral cooperation and nurture a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India and New Zealand share a long-standing relationship rooted in mutual respect, democratic values, and strong people-to-people ties. Both sides reaffirmed their intention to deepen collaboration in trade, defence, maritime security, and regional stability.

Luxon’s visit to India earlier this year in March helped lay the groundwork for enhanced cooperation. During that visit, both nations agreed to initiate negotiations on a Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) aimed at boosting economic ties and investment flows. The New Zealand leader, accompanied by a high-level business delegation, also engaged with Indian industry leaders in Mumbai to explore new opportunities for collaboration.

During their previous meeting in New Delhi, Prime Minister Modi and PM Luxon had discussed regional security challenges in the Indo-Pacific and the need for collective efforts to ensure stability and prosperity in the region.

In a joint statement issued after Monday’s meeting, both leaders reiterated their commitment to counter terrorism, urging all nations to act decisively against UN-proscribed terrorist organisations.

Further strengthening their strategic alignment, New Zealand officially joined two India-led global initiatives — the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) — reflecting growing convergence between the two democracies on regional and global priorities.