New Zealand has appointed its first Resident Defence Advisor to India, showing that defence partnership with India is growing stronger.
The appointment was made in late January 2026, and the adviser will serve for three years.
Who is the Defence Advisor
The new Defence Advisor is Commodore Andy Dowling from the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN).
He is based at the New Zealand High Commission in New Delhi.
Why this matters
This posting shows that New Zealand wants closer defence and strategic cooperation with India.
It reflects growing trust and shared interests between the two countries in security matters
How it strengthens partnership
Having a defence adviser in India will help New Zealand better understand India’s defence systems.
It will make it easier for both countries to find ways to work together in defence training and operations.
Common areas of cooperation noted
The adviser highlighted similarities between the Indian and New Zealand navies, such as aircraft operations and refuelling at sea.
This makes it easier for both navies to train and operate together in future missions.
In broader context
This defence appointment follows a major Free Trade Agreement and defence cooperation discussions between India and New Zealand.
The move supports both nations’ goals to ensure a stable and secure Indo-Pacific region.
IAS-2026 - OPTIONAL / GEOGRAPHY / PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION / SOCIOLOGY / ANTHROPOLOGY / ORIENTATION ON 03 & 04-10-2025 
