Navy chief visits New Zealand to bolster maritime ties

India and New Zealand Deepen Naval Engagement During Chief’s Visit

Indiadailyupdate.com – India and New Zealand are moving to broaden their maritime partnership, with Navy Chief Admiral Krishna Swaminathan holding detailed talks with Rear Admiral Garin Golding, Chief of the Royal New Zealand Navy, during a visit focused on closer professional and operational ties.

The engagement placed practical naval cooperation at the centre of discussions, including stronger operational interaction, improved sharing of maritime information and plans for a first bilateral naval exercise in 2027. Admiral Swaminathan’s New Zealand programme followed an earlier stop in Australia, where he also pursued stronger naval cooperation.

Focus on Maritime Security Cooperation

The meeting between the two naval chiefs built on the India–New Zealand Maritime Security Cooperation Arrangement. Both sides considered ways their fleets could work more closely in the years ahead, particularly through exchanges that support awareness of developments at sea and coordinated professional engagement.

“Building upon the India–New Zealand Maritime Security Cooperation Arrangement, the two chiefs exchanged views on enhancing the partnership between the two navies, advancing operational engagement, including a maiden bilateral naval exercise in 2027, and exploring ways to ensure better maritime information exchange,” a spokesperson of the Indian Navy said.

For modern navies, maritime information exchange can help form a clearer picture of activity across large ocean spaces. It supports awareness of shipping movements and developments affecting maritime security, while regular professional contacts can make future cooperation smoother. The planned exercise in 2027 would mark a new step in the relationship by giving the two navies an opportunity to train together directly.

India and New Zealand are both maritime countries with interests extending across the wider Indo-Pacific region. Their naval partnership reflects a shared emphasis on secure sea routes, maritime cooperation and stronger connections among regional forces.

Maori Welcome at Devonport Naval Base

Admiral Swaminathan’s visit began with a traditional Maori Powhiri at Te Taua Moana Marae, located at HMNZS Philomel in Auckland’s Devonport Naval Base. The ceremony was followed by a ceremonial guard of honour from the Royal New Zealand Navy at HMNZS Philomel, known as the Home of the Navy.

The Powhiri is a Maori form of welcome that carries deep cultural significance. The Indian Navy described it as an expression of manaakitanga, conveying respect, hospitality and welcome. Its inclusion in the official programme highlighted the role that New Zealand’s Maori traditions hold within the identity of the Royal New Zealand Navy.

“Adm Krishna Swaminathan’s visit to New Zealand, aimed at further strengthening maritime cooperation and enhancing professional and operational linkages between the Indian Navy and the Royal New Zealand Navy,” the official said.

The formal events also drew attention to a notable historical connection between the two forces. At HMNZS Philomel, the historic six-inch turret from HMNZS Achilles provided a visible reminder of a naval link spanning generations. The vessel later served with the Indian Navy as INS Delhi, connecting the maritime histories of the two countries through the same warship.

Such historical references offer added meaning to contemporary defence engagement. While current talks focused on future operational cooperation, the shared legacy of HMNZS Achilles and INS Delhi underscored that naval links between India and New Zealand are not entirely new.

Visit Follows Australia Engagement

Admiral Swaminathan began his visit to Australia and New Zealand on September 9. The Australia leg was intended to reinforce bilateral naval cooperation before his onward programme in New Zealand.

The New Zealand discussions concentrated on converting broad maritime cooperation into more sustained practical engagement. Information-sharing arrangements, professional interaction and joint exercises can each serve different purposes, but together they create a more regular framework for naval contact.

The Indian Navy said the visit demonstrated the enduring nature of the maritime partnership between India and New Zealand. It also reflected their shared commitment to developing operational links and strengthening cooperation at sea.

The engagement is aligned with the Government of India’s MAHASAGAR vision and India’s wider commitment to building maritime partnerships in the region. As the two navies prepare for deeper interaction, the proposed 2027 bilateral exercise stands out as a concrete future milestone in a relationship shaped by both present strategic priorities and a shared naval history.