India–NZ Strategic Partnership: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Christopher Luxon have upgraded ties to a Strategic Partnership in Auckland, setting a five-year target to double bilateral trade to NZ$7b (₹35,000 crore) by 2030 and signing 10 agreements spanning trade, defence, maritime security, counter-terrorism, disaster management, agriculture, tourism, sports, culture and research. FTA impact for Kiwi exporters: The leaders framed the recently concluded free trade deal as a major boost for market access and investment, with Modi and Luxon pointing to faster implementation and new opportunities for goods and services. UPI meets NZ payments: Modi said India’s UPI will be linked with New Zealand’s payment system, pushing fintech cooperation beyond the FTA. Defence and maritime cooperation: A defence and security package includes a maritime cooperation framework, structured defence engagement and a new maritime security dialogue, amid regional concerns over Middle East tensions and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Business invitation: Modi urged New Zealand firms to invest in India’s growth sectors including infrastructure, clean energy, logistics and innovation. Local economy angle: Separate coverage flags rising freight costs in NZ and how warehouses are responding with smarter material handling to protect margins. Food safety watch: A systematic review reported multiple pesticide residues in infant formula across multiple countries, including New Zealand, raising health concerns for infants.