India-New Zealand Defence Dialogue: Joint training, maritime security on agenda
Synopsis
India and New Zealand's second Defence Strategic Dialogue in Wellington wasn't a routine bilateral — it was the first operational meeting under a newly elevated Strategic Partnership, with both sides moving from framework to action on joint procurement, training, and maritime security in the Indo-Pacific.
Key Takeaways
India and New Zealand held the second Defence Strategic Dialogue in Wellington on 25 August .
Talks were co-chaired by Joint Secretary Amitabh Prasad (India) and Deputy Secretary Richard Schmidt (New Zealand).
Key agenda items included joint training exercises, cross-service personnel exchanges, and defence staff college partnerships across maritime, air, and land domains.
Both sides are implementing the India-New Zealand Strategic Partnership Roadmap 2030 , agreed at a summit-level meeting last month.
Jaishankar and FM Winston Peters had already discussed Indo-Pacific security and maritime cooperation in Manila in July .
The dialogue concluded with agreement to accelerate engagement through regular high-level and ministerial-level exchanges.
India and New Zealand held the second edition of the Defence Strategic Dialogue in Wellington on 25 August, with both sides discussing concrete steps to deepen military-to-military engagement across maritime, air, and land domains. The talks signal a clear acceleration in bilateral security ties under the newly elevated India-New Zealand Strategic Partnership.
What Was Discussed
The high-level dialogue was co-chaired by Joint Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Amitabh Prasad on the Indian side and Deputy Secretary of New Zealand's Ministry of Defence, Richard Schmidt. Agenda items spanned joint training exercises, cross-service personnel exchanges, and defence staff college partnerships. Both delegations also focused on advancing maritime security cooperation and implementing strategic targets outlined in the India-New Zealand Strategic Partnership Roadmap 2030.
Key Meetings and Institutional Engagement
Beyond the formal dialogue, the Indian delegation held separate meetings with senior New Zealand Defence Force leadership, including the Vice Chief of Defence Force, the Commander Joint Forces New Zealand, and the Deputy Secretary Capability Delivery. According to the Ministry of Defence statement, these discussions centred on 'accelerating joint capital procurement insights, matching operational frameworks, and ensuring seamless coordination for upcoming engagements.'
Indo-Pacific Commitment Reaffirmed
Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. The dialogue builds on a summit-level meeting held last month, which elevated the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership. Officials expressed confidence that the agreements reached during this round will meaningfully raise the floor of defence and security coordination between the two countries.
Jaishankar-Peters Meeting Provides Diplomatic Backdrop
The Wellington dialogue follows a bilateral meeting in July between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters on the sidelines of ASEAN-related foreign ministerial meetings in Manila. In a post on X after that meeting, Jaishankar wrote: 'A useful conversation with FM Winston Peters of New Zealand ASEAN Manila. Shared perspectives on the Indo-Pacific security situation and discussed enhancing our maritime cooperation.' The ministerial exchange set the diplomatic tone that the defence dialogue in Wellington sought to operationalise.
What Comes Next
The meeting concluded with a mutual agreement to sustain momentum through regular high-level and ministerial-level exchanges. With the Strategic Partnership Roadmap 2030 now providing a structured framework, both governments are expected to announce specific joint exercises and procurement collaboration timelines in the months ahead.
Point of View
But the real test will be whether joint procurement commitments materialise — past defence dialogues with mid-tier partners have often stalled at the 'intent' stage. Jaishankar's Manila meeting suggests the political will is present; Wellington must now convert it into signed agreements.
NationPress
25 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the India-New Zealand Defence Strategic Dialogue?
It is a structured bilateral defence forum between India and New Zealand, held at the level of senior ministry officials, to advance military cooperation. The second edition was held in Wellington on 25 August, focusing on joint training, maritime security, and implementing the Strategic Partnership Roadmap 2030.
What is the India-New Zealand Strategic Partnership Roadmap 2030?
It is a bilateral framework agreed at a summit-level meeting last month that outlines strategic targets for defence and security cooperation between India and New Zealand through 2030. The Wellington dialogue focused on operationalising the roadmap's key agenda items.
Who represented India at the Wellington defence talks?
India was represented by Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Amitabh Prasad, who co-chaired the dialogue alongside New Zealand's Deputy Secretary of Defence, Richard Schmidt.
What role does the Indo-Pacific play in India-New Zealand defence ties?
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. Maritime security cooperation is a central pillar of the bilateral relationship, as reflected in both the Wellington dialogue and the July Jaishankar-Peters meeting in Manila.
What happens after the Wellington dialogue?
Both governments agreed to sustain momentum through regular high-level and ministerial-level exchanges. Specific joint exercises, procurement timelines, and staff college partnerships are expected to be formalised in the coming months under the Roadmap 2030 framework.
