Christopher Luxon, Narendra Modi agree on partnership with trade, maritime security ambitions

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has again batted away concerns over a clause in the India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) requiring the government to "promote" investment in India, despite his Indian counterpart calling it a "commitment".

Luxon has been hosting Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in Auckland, marking the first time in 40 years an Indian prime minister has come to New Zealand.

On Saturday morning, Luxon and Modi "elevated" the relationship between the two nations into a 'strategic partnership', with goals to double trade and deepen defence ties.

Speaking in Hindi, Modi thanked the New Zealand government twice over the course of the day for its "commitment" to $US20 billion of private investment in India within 15 years, and called on New Zealand to be part of India's "unique growth story".

Asked to clarify New Zealand's position on the matter, Luxon said the the FTA included a "commitment to promote" investment.

"We've been through this before - it's very clearly understood on both sides - it's a commitment to promote investment into India from New Zealand and vice versa."

"We understand what we agreed in the FTA and both sides understand that well and it's been traversed well before." Luxon said.

Concerns about the clause were raised in April by both New Zealand First and Labour. At the time, Labour said the investment clause was "very unrealistic" and "almost impossible" to achieve and warned that India could claw back market access.

It comes as both prime ministers announced their ambition to work together more closely with the 'Roadmap to 2030', which features a number of commitments to improve investment, technology, maritime security, education, tourism, sport, agriculture, community and trade.

The agreement was struck after Modi was welcomed by Christopher Luxon at Government House in Auckland on Saturday morning.

Modi accepted the wero, or challenge, laid by members of the New Zealand Defence Force before accompanying Luxon to inspect New Zealand's Honour Guard.

It's the first time in 40 years that an Indian prime minister has visited New Zealand.

Both prime ministers and representatives from their governments gathered in the dining room for a formal bilateral meeting.

Among those at the formal ceremony was Finance Minister Nicola Willis, Defence Minister Chris Penk, Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.

One notable absentee was Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters, who is visiting Singapore and Japan.

Luxon says the strategic partnership is a "major step" in the relationship between New Zealand and India, and signalled their ambition to "do more together".

In a joint statement, both prime ministers agreed to combat transnational and organised crime, including illicit drug trafficking, financial crime, cyber-enabled crime, terrorism-related offences, people smuggling and human trafficking.

The roadmap includes seven pillars, with political and diplomatic engagement, defence and security cooperation, and trade and economic cooperation making up the first three pillars respectively.

On defence, both governments want to deepen their maritime defence ties including a commitment to conduct naval activities such as bilateral naval exercises and engage on cyber security priorities.

The roadmap includes a Maritime Cooperation Arrangement (MCA) between the New Zealand and Indian defence forces.

"New Zealand's prosperity and security depend on a stable and secure Indo-Pacific," Luxon said.

"That's why we are stepping up practical cooperation at sea and deepening how we work together and share perspectives on maritime security."

The roadmap has no financial commitments and does not create any legally binding rights or obligations.

In the late afternoon, a few dozen protesters faced off against dozens of vocal Modi supporters outside Spark Arena, ahead of the Indian prime minister's appearance this evening.

Separated from attendees by heavy police lines, protesters included anti-immigration groups and about a dozen people demanding an independent state of Khalistan within India.

Asked earlier if he was concerned about the protesters, Luxon said he did not see any and was not concerned.

Modi arrived at Auckland Airport late Friday night and met with prominent business and sports personalities on Saturday afternoon.