Auckland, July 11: India and New Zealand reaffirmed their commitment to enhance cooperation in combating terrorism, boosting cybersecurity, and addressing emerging security challenges on Saturday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand’s counterpart Christopher Luxon agreed to foster greater engagement through regional and multilateral forums to promote global peace, security, and resilience.
A joint statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs highlighted, “Both Prime Ministers reiterated their shared commitment to enhance cooperation in countering terrorism, cybersecurity, and associated security challenges. They agreed to work on strengthening mutual engagement through dialogue and collaboration on relevant regional and multilateral platforms aimed at promoting international peace, security, and stability.”
The leaders condemned all forms of terrorism, including cross-border terrorism. They strongly denounced the terrorist attacks that occurred in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, and near the Red Fort in New Delhi on November 10, 2025, emphasizing the need to hold those responsible accountable.
The statement further noted, “They discussed adopting a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism and a unified stance on dismantling terrorist financing networks and safe havens, eliminating terrorist infrastructure online, and ensuring swift justice for those guilty of terrorism. Both leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in combating terrorism and violent extremism. They welcomed the signing of an MoU to establish a Joint Working Group (JWG) on counter-terrorism, which will provide a framework for information and knowledge sharing.”
Additionally, the leaders pledged to enhance practical law enforcement cooperation to tackle transnational and organized crime, including drug trafficking, financial crimes, cyber-related offenses, terrorism-related crimes, and human trafficking.
The statement continued, “They agreed to expedite formal arrangements for counter-narcotics cooperation and law enforcement collaboration between their respective agencies.”
PM Modi and Luxon also shared their perspectives on the Indo-Pacific region, reiterating their commitment to a free, open, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific, where sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected, and a rules-based international order is upheld.
The statement reaffirmed their commitment to freedom of navigation and overflight, as well as other lawful uses of the sea, in accordance with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They emphasized the need for peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with UNCLOS and the importance of working together for security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.
Both leaders stressed the significance of cooperation in ASEAN-led and other regional forums, including the East Asia Summit, ASEAN Regional Forum, and ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus. According to the statement, they reiterated ASEAN’s central role and the importance of its perspective on the Indo-Pacific.
Leave a Comment