New Zealand Appoints First Defence Adviser in India to Boost Ties

New Zealand is enhancing its defence relationship with India by appointing Commodore Andy Dowling as its first resident Defence Adviser in New Delhi. Dowling, who currently holds the position of Defence Adviser to Australia, will relocate to India later this month with his wife, Claire. This three-year assignment represents a significant shift, as it is the first time the role will be performed full-time from India, instead of being shared with another country.

By establishing a Defence Adviser post in India, New Zealand aims to deepen its understanding of India’s military system and identify collaborative opportunities between the two nations. In a statement, Dowling remarked, “By having a Defence Adviser in India, it will allow us to understand their system better to identify and explore opportunities for our two nations to work together.” He highlighted the busy year the New Zealand Defence Force had with India, including the visit of the frigate HMNZS Te Kaha, participation in Command Task Force 150, and the inaugural talks between the Ministry of Defence of New Zealand and India.

Strengthening Defence Cooperation

Commodore Dowling emphasized the need for sustainable interactions and a focus on defence and security to maintain a robust relationship. “These are their most important considerations. The neighbourhood they live in is quite a tough one,” he noted. His appointment follows a year of increased engagement between New Zealand and India, marked by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon‘s visit to India in March 2023. This visit resulted in the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding for Defence Cooperation, aimed at fortifying bilateral defence ties and establishing regular defence interactions.

New Zealand’s involvement in CTF 150 further underscores this commitment. The HMNZS Te Kaha participated in operations targeting drug trafficking in the Western Indian Ocean, leading to the seizure of seven tonnes of narcotics between April and June 2025, with India serving as second-in-command in the task force.

Dowling’s familiarity with India, having visited the country four times over the past year in his role in Australia, positions him well to navigate the defence landscape. He acknowledged India’s evolving international defence role, citing the transition from the 1991 ‘Look East’ policy to the 2014 ‘Act East’ strategy. Dowling described New Zealand as an “honest broker” on the global stage, reinforcing the respect India holds for the nation.

A Unique Opportunity

Reflecting on his upcoming assignment, Commodore Dowling expressed excitement about the opportunity to establish something new. “I was asked midway through last year, is this something Claire and I would like to do? We saw it as a great opportunity and adventure. It’s not often you get to set up something from scratch. It’s a real privilege we’re eager to grasp with both hands,” he stated.

As New Zealand embarks on this significant chapter in its defence relations with India, the appointment of a resident Defence Adviser is a strategic move aimed at fostering deeper ties and enhancing collaborative initiatives in a complex geopolitical environment.