Inaugural India–New Zealand Defence Strategic Dialogue held in New Delhi
The inaugural India–New Zealand Defence Strategic Dialogue was held in New Delhi on 5 August 2025, co-chaired by Joint Secretary Amitabh Prasad and New Zealand's Kathleen Pearce.
Summary
The inaugural India–New Zealand Defence Strategic Dialogue was held in New Delhi on 5 August 2025, co-chaired by Amitabh Prasad, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) in India's Ministry of Defence, and Kathleen Pearce, Head of International Branch in New Zealand's Ministry of Defence. The two sides identified ways to enhance cooperation in training, capability building, defence industry, maritime security and multinational cooperation, and discussed building up the ongoing White Shipping Information Exchange. India complimented New Zealand on its successful command of CTF-150, in which five Indian Navy personnel were deputed as staff. The dialogue was constituted under an MoU signed in March 2025.
Key facts
- Date/venue
- 5 Aug 2025, New Delhi (first edition)
- Indian co-chair
- Amitabh Prasad, JS (International Cooperation), MoD
- NZ co-chair
- Kathleen Pearce, Head of International Branch, NZ MoD
- Basis
- MoU signed in March 2025
- CTF-150
- Commanded by New Zealand; five Indian Navy personnel deputed as staff
- Information sharing
- White Shipping Information Exchange
Practice MCQs 2 questions
The inaugural India–New Zealand Defence Strategic Dialogue, held in New Delhi on 5 August 2025, was constituted under an MoU signed in which month?
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Correct answer: A — March 2025
The dialogue was constituted under an MoU signed between the two countries in March 2025.
Consider the following statements about the inaugural India–New Zealand Defence Strategic Dialogue (August 2025): 1. It was held in Wellington. 2. It was co-chaired by the defence ministers of the two countries. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Neither statement is correct. Statement 1 is incorrect: the dialogue was held in New Delhi. Statement 2 is incorrect: it was co-chaired by Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) Amitabh Prasad and New Zealand's Head of International Branch Kathleen Pearce.