Wellington: India and New Zealand on Saturday elevated their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership, unveiling the Strategic Partnership Roadmap 2030 to deepen cooperation across key sectors over the next four years.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon agreed on an ambitious long-term vision for the partnership, with both leaders committing to significantly strengthen political, economic, security and people-to-people ties, according to a joint statement issued after their talks.

As part of the new roadmap, the two countries agreed to work towards doubling bilateral trade in goods and services to ₹35,000 crore by 2030, building on the momentum created by the recently signed India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Addressing the media after the talks, Modi said stronger cooperation between India and New Zealand, both maritime nations, would add fresh momentum to efforts aimed at ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

"As two maritime nations, our close cooperation lends new strength to the Indo-Pacific, and our ties can infuse fresh energy into achieving our shared goals of peace," Modi said.

The leaders also oversaw the signing of several agreements covering multiple sectors, further expanding the scope of bilateral cooperation.

Modi's visit to New Zealand is the first by an Indian Prime Minister in four decades and marks a significant milestone in bilateral ties.

The visit follows the recent signing of the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement. Bilateral trade currently stands at around USD 2.25 billion, with both sides expecting rapid growth under the FTA's near tariff-free trading environment. The agreement also envisages USD 20 billion in investment in India over the next 15 years, providing a major boost to economic engagement.

New Zealand is home to more than 300,000 people of Indian origin, who continue to play a significant role in the country's politics, economy and business.

(PTI)