The Fifth India-New Zealand Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between India and New Zealand were held in Wellington on 19 August 2023. Shri Saurabh Kumar, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs and Ms. Deborah Geels, Deputy Secretary - Americas and Asia Group, co-chaired the meeting.

2.?The two sides expressed satisfaction at the enhanced engagement between the two countries. They reviewed their wide ranging bilateral relations including political, economic & trade cooperation, defence exchanges, education, science & technology, as well as, people-to-people links and cultural cooperation. Regional and multilateral matters including India’s Presidency of the G-20, Indo-Pacific, ASEAN, Commonwealth and UN were discussed.

3.?The two sides noted the huge potential in trade and economic sectors and agreed to further promote G2G and B2B interactions. They appreciated the several business events planned both in India and New Zealand.

4.?Secretary (East) also held bilateral meetings with Mr. Chris Seed, Chief Executive and Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Mr. Andrew Bridgman, Secretary of Defence.

5.?Both sides also appreciated the importance of FOC and agreed to hold them on a regular basis. The next FOC will be held in India on mutually convenient dates.

Wellington
August 19, 2023