India-New Zealand Cyber Dialogue
The first India-New Zealand Cyber Dialogue was held in New Delhi on November 27, 2017. The Indian Delegation was led by Mr. Sanjay Kumar Verma, Additional Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs. It included representatives from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, National Security Council Secretariat, Central Bureau of Investigation, Department of Telecommunication, National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre, while the New Zealand delegation was led by Mr. Paul Ash, Director of the National Cyber Policy Office, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet who was accompanied by representatives from the International Security & Disarmament Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and officials from its High Commission in New Delhi.
India and New Zealand reaffirmed their commitment to an open, free, secure, stable, peaceful and accessible cyberspace, enabling economic growth and innovation. Both sides recognised the multistakeholder approach as a core element in their cyber policy. In particular, both sides reaffirmed that the existing principles of international law are applicable in cyberspace and that there was a need to continue and deepen deliberations on the applicability of International Law to cyberspace and set norms of responsible behaviour of states. They also emphasised the significance of various regional, international and multilateral initiatives, particularly UN facilitated initiatives, to continue the debate on these issues as well as on cyber capacity building. The two countries also agreed that the bilateral cyber dialogue provided a strong foundation for existing and future cooperation.
Areas of discussion included domestic cyber policy landscape, cyber threats and mitigation, new technologies, mechanism on bilateral cooperation and possible cooperation at various international fora and regional fora. Both sides shared the view that they will deepen the dialogues at various levels.
Both sides agreed to hold the next India-New Zealand Cyber dialogue in New Zealand in 2018.