During a recent official visit to India, Rear Admiral Garin Golding, Chief of the Royal New Zealand Navy, met with General Upendra Dwivedi, India’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), to examine ways to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation.
The talks, conducted on March 18, 2025, were part of Golding’s schedule from March 16 to 21, which focused on increasing marine cooperation and mutual training activities.
The discussions centred on operational exchanges and high-level dialogues that emphasised shared interests in regional security, particularly in the Indo-Pacific area.
Both presidents recognised the significance of coordinated efforts in addressing common security problems and improving naval capabilities. Golding’s tour included a visit to the National War Memorial and participation in the Raisina Dialogue, which demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to developing stronger defence cooperation with India.
The conference is especially noteworthy since it follows the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and New Zealand to strengthen their defence cooperation and marine safety measures.
This agreement demonstrates both countries’ commitment to sustaining Indo-Pacific stability and shows their common concerns about regional security dynamics.
The continuing conversation and future engagements demonstrate a strong commitment to improving defence cooperation and solving current security concerns together.
