New Zealand Appoints First Defence Adviser to India

New Zealand is enhancing its defence collaboration with India as Commodore Andy Dowling prepares to assume the role of the country’s first resident Defence Adviser in New Delhi. Currently serving as New Zealand’s Defence Adviser to Australia, Dowling and his wife, Claire, will relocate to India later this month for a three-year posting. This marks a significant development as it is the first time this position will be managed full-time from India, rather than being cross-accredited from another country.

Dowling emphasized the importance of this role, stating, “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 noted that the New Zealand Defence Force had a productive year in 2022, which included visits from the frigate HMNZS Te Kaha and high-level talks between defence ministries. However, he acknowledged the need for sustainable interactions, explaining, “We’re not going to turn up with a frigate every week. But I’ll soon be in a place to have the dialogue and spot opportunities.”

Strengthening Ties and Addressing Regional Security

Commodore Dowling’s appointment follows an uptick in engagement between New Zealand and India in the previous year. Notably, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon visited India in March 2023, resulting in the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding for Defence Cooperation. This agreement aims to deepen bilateral defence ties and establish regular interactions between the two nations.

In 2022, New Zealand led the Command Task Force 150, with India serving as second-in-command. During this operation, the two countries collaborated to seize approximately seven tonnes of narcotics in the Western Indian Ocean from April to June. Dowling highlighted the significance of maintaining a strong defence relationship, particularly in light of the challenging regional security landscape. “These are their most important considerations. The neighbourhood they live in is quite a tough one,” he remarked.

Building on Previous Engagements

With familiarity gained through his role in Australia, Commodore Dowling has visited India four times in the past year. He pointed to India’s evolving international defence role, referencing the shift from the 1991 ‘Look East’ policy to the 2014 ‘Act East’ strategy. His observations reflect a growing mutual respect, as he described New Zealand as “the ‘honest broker’ in the world,” highlighting potential areas for collaboration in naval operations, training, and equipment.

Dowling expressed enthusiasm for this new phase, stating, “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.”

As New Zealand solidifies its defence presence in India, both nations stand to benefit from enhanced cooperation in addressing regional challenges and fostering security partnerships. The establishment of a dedicated Defence Adviser signals a commitment to long-term engagement, reflecting the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific region.