India, New Zealand ink defence pact, to boost Indo-Pacific cooperation

NEW DELHI: With India and New Zealand now inking an MoU on defence cooperation, their Navy chiefs have discussed measures to enhance naval ties, maritime cooperation in the crucial Indo-Pacific and joint training initiatives. Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi discussed various steps to enhance maritime ties with Rear Admiral Garin Golding, who is also slated to meet Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan as well as the Army and IAF chiefs.

Rear Admiral Golding's six-day visit marks "a significant step in the evolution of the bilateral defence relations", fostering deeper naval cooperation and reinforcing mutual interests in the Indo-Pacific, an official said.

He will also visit the Western Naval Command at Mumbai, where he will interact with officers and sailors, go onboard indigenous destroyer INS Surat, and explore avenues for future collaboration in ship maintenance and technology.