India will host New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon next week eyeing to broaden its strategic partnership in the Indo-Pacific region in the backdrop of China’s growing military inroads in the region that has rattled both New Zealand and Australia.
Luxon, who will also be the chief guest at this year’s Raisina Dialogue, will seek to beef up security and trade ties during his four-day visit, according to persons familiar with the development.
The visit comes amid alarms in Wellington over the Chinese military’s growing presence and engagement with the Pacific Island states. Partnership with India could enable New Zealand to hedge against Chinese designs, according to an expert on the Pacific region.
