The Chief of the Royal New Zealand Navy, Rear Admiral David Proctor arrived in New Delhi where he inspected the Guard of Honour and held talks with the Indian counterpart. He is on an official visit to India from Feb 19-27. (Photo: ANI)

02/8India-New Zealand ties

In 2022-23, the bilateral trade between India and New Zealand reached USD 1 billion. India holds the position of the 11th largest trading partner for New Zealand. (Photo: ANI)

03/8Guard of Honour

Rear Admiral David Proctor, the Chief of the Royal New Zealand Navy, received a Guard of Honour in Delhi. Admiral Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff, welcomed the admiral at the South Block, where the two naval officers exchanged handshakes and greetings. (Photo: ANI)

04/8Strengthening bilateral relations

Indian Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar discussed ways to strengthen bilateral maritime cooperation including operational engagements with his New Zealand counterpart, stated the Ministry of Defence. (Photo: A. Bharat Bhushan Babu, principal spokesperson, ministry of defence X handle)

05/8MILAN 24 navy excercise

Rear Admiral David Proctor is slated to take part in the Indian Navy's flagship exercise MILAN 24 in Visakhapatnam. Additionally, he will engage in high-level discussions at the Western Naval Command. (Photo: A. Bharat Bhushan Babu, principal spokesperson, ministry of defence X handle)

06/8Significance of the visit

The visit signifies the finalization of the Technical Arrangement on White Shipping Information Exchange. Moreover, naval vessels from both countries have consistently made port calls at each other's ports, with the most recent instances being the visits of INS Kolkata and INS Sahyadri to Auckland and Wellington in September 23.

Following their departure, Indian ships engaged in PASSEX (Passage Exercise) with the Royal New Zealand Navy and Royal New Zealand Air Force in the Tasman Sea. (Photo: A. Bharat Bhushan Babu, principal spokesperson, ministry of defence)

07/8'Opening Doors to India'

India and New Zealand established bilateral relations in 1952. In 2011, New Zealand designated India as a priority country under its "Opening Doors to India" policy, a commitment reaffirmed by New Zealand in 2015. (Photo: ANI)

08/8Tribute to the soldiers

Admiral David Proctor laid a wreath at the National War Memorial in Delhi, honoring and paying respects to the fallen soldiers. (Photo: A. Bharat Bhushan Babu, principal spokesperson, ministry of defence X handle)