New Delhi, December 1, 2011: The 3rd Round of IDSA-Asia-New Zealand Foundation Track - 2 dialogue concluded at the Institute for Defence Studies and
Analyses (IDSA), New Delhi on December 1, 2011.
The two sides discussed Asian Security, South China Sea and Maritime Security issues and spoke about the impact of China’s rise on Asian regionalism. Both India and New Zealand are interested in an inclusive security and economic architecture in the region. Noting the recent trends in China’s foreign policy, both sides expressed that China needs to be engaged deeply in Asian regional architecture for Asian Peace and Stability.
The pervious two rounds of discussions were held in Wellington (2010) and New Delhi (2009). The New Zealand delegation was led by Dr Richard Grant, Executive Director of Asia New Zealand Foundation and the IDSA delegation was led by Dr Arvind Gupta, Lal Bahadur Shastri Chair.
Sino-India relations were discussed at large. New Zealand is keenly watching the trajectory of Sino-Indian relations and how it will impact Asian security.
Both the sides noted the increasing role of East Asia Summit in the evolving Asian Security Architecture. The recent EAS Summit in Bali was an important landmark in the evolution of the institution. The US and Russia have joined the East Asia Summit. The pronouncements of US President, Barack Obama on Trans Pacific Partnerships, it was contended, is an important development. China has reacted cautiously to the US efforts to search for a greater role in the Asia-Pacific region.
New Zealand envisages a positive role for India in the evolving security architecture in Asia. Both India and New Zealand are members of the EAST Asia Summit.
New Zealand is engaged in deeper engagement with the Asian countries. It concluded an FTA with China in 2008 and is discussing a similar agreement with India. Almost 10 per cent of the New Zealand population consists of immigrants, of which three per cent is of the Indian origin.
Asia–New Zealand Foundation also released a paper by IDSA scholars, Dr Rajaram Panda and Dr Pankaj Jha on “New Zealand’s place in Asia”.
Asia-New Zealand Foundation plays an important role in New Zealand’s growing engagement with Asia.
New Zealand as a South Pacific state has major political, economic, and security interests in the South Pacific region. The implications of the rapidly growing Chinese presence in the South Pacific region was discussed. Historically, India has deep interest in Fiji, a South Pacific island, where nearly half of the population is of Indian origin. New Zealand would like to see India play a greater role in South Pacific region’s stability and prosperity.
India Should Play Greater Role in South Pacific: Asia-New Zealand Foundation