India and New Zealand on Tuesday pledged to bolster bilateral ties, particularly in areas of defence, trade, space, counter-terrorism, cyber security and climate change, and also reiterated the need for a free and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.

In a statement, the Indian External Affairs Ministry said that the two sides comprehensively reviewed the ongoing bilateral cooperation and discussed ways to strengthen coordination in multilateral and regional fora at a virtual meeting. The Indian side was led by Riva Ganguly Das, Secretary (East), and former High Commissioner to Bangladesh.

"Both sides discussed the steps to be taken to enhance the depth and momentum of engagement in different areas, including defence and security, trade and investment, space, counterterrorism, cybersecurity, disarmament and climate change, and for strengthening people-to-people ties," the Ministry said.

It may be mentioned here that bilateral defence cooperation has been more limited, though both countries have carried out joint naval exercises and their militaries have served together in the United Nations peacekeeping missions in Kosovo and the African country of Sudan.  

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"Both sides exchanged views on various regional issues and reiterated the importance of closer cooperation for a rules-based international order and a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region," it said, adding that issues concerning equitable access to Covid vaccines globally also came up during discussions.

Bilateral ties between India and New Zealand were established in 1952, some five years after this country gained independence from colonial Britain. Pranab Mukherjee became the first Indian President to visit New Zealand in August 2016.