India and New Zealand look to bolster ties after reviving free trade talks

NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his New Zealand counterpart, Christopher Luxon, met Monday seeking to deepen their defense and economic ties, a day after the countries announced the revival of negotiations for a free trade agreement.

Modi and Luxon met in New Delhi and signed agreements on enhancing cooperation in defense, food processing, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy and critical minerals.

Luxon said he held “highly productive meetings” with Modi and other Indian leaders that will improve ties between India and New Zealand. The defense relationship includes joint military training, he said.

“New Zealand is committed to doing more with India across a wide range of areas — defense and security, trade and economics, people-to-people ties, education, tourism, sports and culture,” Luxon said at joint press conference with Modi.

Luxon was accompanied by business leaders and several parliamentarians on his five-day visit to India.

India and New Zealand on Sunday agreed to revive free trade negotiations that have been stalled for more than 10 years.

The announcement was made after discussions between New Zealand Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay and his Indian counterpart, Piyush Goyal. It follows India’s recent efforts to broker trade deal agreements with other nations after U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose reciprocal tariffs on imported goods from countries including India.

India and the European Union last month agreed to finalize a long-pending free trade agreement by the end of this year. A similar trade deal between India and the United Kingdom is also in the works.

India’s Commerce Ministry said the free trade deal between India and New Zealand aims to “achieve balanced outcomes that enhance supply-chain integration and improve market access.” It did not offer other details.

Luxon in a statement Sunday said: “It is through trade that we can boost the economies of both our countries, providing more jobs and higher incomes for Kiwis and Indians."

The bilateral trade between India and New Zealand stood at $1.7 billion in 2023-24 financial year.

This story corrects bilateral trade figures.

Visiting New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, right, talks to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi before their meeting in New Delhi, India, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Visiting New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, right, talks to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi before their meeting in New Delhi, India, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives to receive visiting New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in New Delhi, India, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives to receive visiting New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in New Delhi, India, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Visiting New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, right, speaks to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi before their meeting in New Delhi, India, Monday, March, 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets visiting New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon before their meeting in New Delhi, India, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Visiting New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, center right, speaks to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi before their meeting in New Delhi, India, Monday, March, 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Visiting New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, center right, speaks to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi before their meeting in New Delhi, India, Monday, March, 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Visiting New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, right, talks to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi before their meeting in New Delhi, India, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left, greets visiting New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon before their meeting in New Delhi, India, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left, greets visiting New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon before their meeting in New Delhi, India, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left, greets visiting New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon before their meeting in New Delhi, India, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hugs visiting New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon before their meeting in New Delhi, India, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hugs visiting New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon before their meeting in New Delhi, India, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Indiana Pacers held four starters out at Minnesota on Monday night, including stars Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam, and the final member of their usual starting five was ejected in the third quarter when Andrew Nembhard got his second technical foul of the game.

Forward Aaron Nesmith was scratched for management of his left ankle injury that kept him out for 35 games earlier this season. Center Myles Turner was out with a bruised left hip.

Nembhard was punished for chucking the ball at Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, who lowered a shoulder to check Nembhard's drive after he clipped Timberwolves point guard Mike Conley with an elbow to the chest.

Nembhard's first technical foul came midway through the first quarter. Gobert was also automatically ejected after an official replay review resulted in a Flagrant 2 foul call on him.

Siakam's first absence as a member of the Pacers, who acquired him 14 months ago in a trade with Toronto, was due to personal reasons. The three-time All-Star forward leads the team with an average of 20.9 points per game.

Haliburton sat with lower back soreness. An All-Star in each of the previous two seasons, Haliburton missed three games earlier this month because of a left hip flexor strain. The Pacers lost all three of those without their point guard.

Rookie reserve Johnny Furphy was also unavailable because of an illness, leaving the Pacers particularly short-handed against the surging Timberwolves. Nembhard moved to point guard and was joined in the original starting lineup by Bennedict Mathurin in the backcourt, Obi Toppin and Jarace Walker at the forward spots and Thomas Bryant at center.

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Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, front, and Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard battle for a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 17, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Craig Lassig)

Indiana Pacers' Myles Turner, right, reacts past Philadelphia 76ers' Adem Bona after scoring during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 14, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Indiana Pacers' Pascal Siakam, left, goes up for a shot past Philadelphia 76ers' Ricky Council IV during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 14, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Indiana Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton (0) passes the ball against Milwaukee Bucks' Damian Lillard during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)