Indian Council of World Affairs

The 7^th Indian Council of World Affairs(ICWA) - Asia New Zealand Foundation (ANZF) and New Zealand India Research Institute (NZIRI) Dialogue was held on 30 January 2025, in Christchurch, New Zealand.During the Dialogue, discussions were held on three major themes: changing global geo-politics, perspectives on developments in respective regions; and India-New Zealand Bilateral Relations.   

In the Inaugural Session, the Indian High Commissioner to New Zealand Neeta Bhushanand New Zealand High Commissioner to India Patrick Rata addressed the Dialogue. It was noted that India-New Zealand relations are on an upward trajectory. The two countries have had over seven decades of friendly relations, 2024 has been a milestone year with engagement across all the sectors, a positive trend which is expected to continue through 2025. India’s importance in world geo-politics and world economy is growing. Track II Dialogue provides a vital platform for free and frank discussionson both challenges and opportunities for bilateral relations and people to people ties.

On New Zealand side MsSuzannahJessep, Chief Executive Officer, ANZF and on Indian sideProf ChintamaniMahapatra, Former Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, addressed the Dialogue as the heads of delegation. It was noted that there have been unprecedented exchange of high level contacts recently between India and New Zealand. Ongoing changes in the regional and global geopolitics were discussed and the need for a free and open Indo-Pacific was emphasized.

The first session focused on the theme Changing Global Geo-Politics: Views from India and New Zealand.  The session was moderated by MsSuzannahJessep, Chief Executive Officer, ANZF. Lead discussants for the session wereProf David Capie, Director, New Zealand India Research Institute and Prof ChintamaniMahapatra, Former Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University. Discussion during the session highlighted that the world at present is undergoing turmoil and uncertainty, with visible inflection points that will prove to be significant as the new world order emerges. The New Zealand side pointed out that emerging nationalism globally,especially trade and economic, tariffs, export controls, sanctions, protectionism is visible. Both sides agreed that multilateral institutions and international cooperation are under stress. China’s aggressive posture in maritime East Asia, South China Sea, and South Pacific was discussed. India’s leadership of the Global South was acknowledged. It was mentioned that it is in India’s genes to play a role in world affairs.

The second session focused on the theme Perspectives on Developments in Our Regions. The session was moderated by Prof ChintamaniMahapatra. Lead discussants for thesession included Prof Anne-Marie Brady, University of Canterbury and Captain (Dr.) Gurpreet S Khurana, Indian Navy (Retd). It was highlighted during the discussion that at present, the Indo-Pacific is, clearly, at the spotlight, whatever happens here will have echoes around the world. China’s relations with the small island countries in the Pacific from the point of view of posing a challenge to New Zealand were discussed. New Zealand side emphasized the need to look at the security and strategic angle of the Antarctica. The Indian side highlighted that in the Indian Ocean region, India focuses on nuanced neighborhood policy and SAGAR narrative and the Indian Navy and Coast Guard would like to be seen as the first responder and preferred security partner in the region.

The third session was on Session Three: India-New Zealand Bilateral Relations: Ways Forward. The session was moderated by Dr Julia Macdonald, Director (Research and Engagement), ANZF. Lead discussants for the session includedMr Charles Finny, Partner, Saunders Unsworth and Dr Pragya Pandey, Research Fellow, ICWA. The discussion during the session highlighted that, given our shared values of democracy, freedom and shared commitment to rule of law and a rules based international order, there is strong synergy for greater cooperation between India and New Zealand. It was pointed out that we should have more dialogue for deeper engagement at all levels. Tourism, education, sports, science and technology, energy, health sciences, agriculture technology, space, fin-tech are areas that offer opportunity for furthering cooperation.

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