PM Modi hopes New Zealand government will act against anti-India actors

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday stated that he and his counterpart from New Zealand, Christopher Luxon, "share the same opinion" on terrorism and expressed optimism that the New Zealand government will act on the anti-India activities.

The remarks from the PM came during a joint press conference with the visiting leader.

During the joint press statement with Luxon, Modi said: "We (India & New Zealand) have the same opinion on terrorism. Whether it is the terror attack on Christchurch on March 15, 2019, or Mumbai 26/11, terrorism is unacceptable in every manner. Strict action is necessary against terror perpetrators. We will work together against terrorist, separatist and extremist elements."


"We have shared our concern regarding anti-India activities in New Zealand. We are sure we will keep getting the New Zealand government's assistance against these illegal activities," the PM added in the backdrop of growing Khalistani activities in New Zealand.

"We both support a free, open, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. We believe in the policy of development, not expansionism. We welcome New Zealand to join the Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative," Modi noted in the backdrop of China's growing footprints in the Pacific Ocean.

Both leaders emphasised the importance of upholding the global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime, and acknowledged the value of India joining the Nuclear Suppliers Group in the context of predictability for India's clean energy goals and its non-proliferation credentials. New Zealand's reservations against India's NSG membership have been an irritant in the ties.

Both leaders welcomed the signing of the India-New Zealand Memorandum of Understanding for Defence Cooperation.