Auckland, July 11 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (local time) said the growing defence and security cooperation between India and New Zealand reflects the "deep strategic trust" between the two countries, as the two sides agreed to strengthen maritime cooperation, institutionalise defence engagement and expand collaboration on counter-terrorism and transnational crime.

Addressing the Gala Lunch hosted in his honour by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Auckland, PM Modi said the defence partnership had entered a new phase with agreements aimed at enhancing cooperation across the Indo-Pacific.

"Our growing cooperation in defence and security is a symbol of our deep strategic trust. With the Defence Cooperation A...