Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon have held wide-ranging discussions seeking to deepen their defense and economic ties.

India and New Zealand have decided to start detailed negotiations on a mutually beneficial free trade agreement, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday after talks with his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon.

India and New Zealand have restarted free trade talks a decade after negotiations fell apart, as Prime Minister Christopher Luxon began his five-day tour of Delhi. He is scheduled to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi later in the day. The two sides have agreed to begin the first round of negotiations next month.

India and New Zealand on Monday inked a mega pact to institutionalise their defence and security ties even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed concerns to his Kiwi counterpart over certain unlawful elements carrying out anti-India activities in the Pacific island nation.