WELLINGTON: 3rd India-New Zealand Foreign Office Consultations

WELLINGTON: The
3rd Foreign Office Consultations between India and New Zealand were held
virtually on 25 May, 2021. Ms. Riva Ganguly Das, Secretary (East) led the
Indian delegation while New Zealand-side was led by Mr. Mark Sinclair, Deputy
Secretary, Americas and Asia Group, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The
previous round of consultations took place on 5 February 2019 in New Delhi.

Comprehensively reviewing ongoing bilateral cooperation, both sides discussed
the steps to be taken to enhance the depth and momentum of engagement in
different areas including defence and security, trade and investment, space,
counterterrorism, cyber security, disarmament and climate change, and for
strengthening people-to-people ties.

Response to COVID-19 pandemic, and access to vaccines and medicines for
containing COVID globally were also discussed.

Both sides exchanged views on various regional issues. They reiterated the
importance of closer cooperation for a rules-based international order and a
free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. They also discussed ways to
strengthen coordination in multilateral and regional fora.

The consultations were held in a friendly and cordial atmosphere. Both sides
agreed to hold the next consultations at a mutually convenient date.