Door open for New Zealand to engage on AUKUS, says Blinken
Blinken and Hipkins
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday (July 27) that New Zealand can engage with the AUKUS weapons development and procurement project anytime it wants as the door was open.
Blinken has raised the possibility of New Zealand and other partners engaging or joining this elite grouping. A pack which angered China that termed it 'destabilising' for the region.
"The door's very much open for New Zealand and other partners to engage as they see appropriate going forward," Blinken said.
"We've long worked together on the most important national security issues. And so as we further develop AUKUS, as I said, the door is open to engagement," he added.
Blinken's notable remark came a day after New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said Wellington was "open to conversations" about a possible role in AUKUS.
New Zealand has been nuclear-free since the mid-1980s and Hipkins said that they would consider it so long as it did not relate to the development of nuclear-powered submarines.
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the S-400 fires its missiles straight up into the air
)
Russia-Ukraine war: Ukraine's armed forces strike Russian warship in Caspian Sea
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
'We were sent flying...': Minab school teacher reacts after Trump claimed Iranian school photos could be AI-generated
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
US says Turkey still barred from F-35 program until it gives up Russian S-400 system: Report
)
Ranbir Kapoor's Ramayana trailer leaks online again; fans urge for official release
)
Comic-Con 2026: Ryan Gosling joins Marvel as Ghost Rider
)
Who is Abhijeet Dipke? Founder of Cockroach Janta Party leading NEET protests that triggered Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation
)
'Vox Populi': Kamal Haasan, Chinmayi, Pa Ranjith react to Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation
)
Hidden in British archives: Scientists decode 200-year-old Indian scroll that helped sailors cross one of the world's toughest seas
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
Did the government avert a larger agitation by conceding to CJP's demands? WION Decodes
)
Did scientists miss the real reason behind Gujarat's record rain? Meet the Pacific Decadal Oscillation | WION Decodes
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why US fighter jets use seamless bubble canopies compared to Russian jets
)
He predicted COVID-19 and 2008 economic crisis, was labeled fearmonger. Now he has another dire warning
)
Reacher star Alan Ritchson slams US President Donald Trump over Epstein files; White House fires back
)
'House raided, father picked up': UP man Mohd Junaid alleges crackdown after CJP protest; Police deny claims
)
'Proud moment for every Indian': What was PM Modi's first social media post after Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation
)
‘Stole the show’: Young man’s uncanny imitation of Trump leaves internet stunned | WATCH
)
Was CJP not controlling the protest? What spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka told WION after Pradhan's resignation
)
Commonwealth Games 2026 Day 4: India's full schedule, medal events and match timings
)
ChatGPT invoked God, told pastor not to worry about his symptoms. Then pulmonary embolism hit
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Jennifer Winget and William Ishmael's dreamy UK intimate wedding: See inside photos
)
Another education minister resigned amid corruption row before Dharmendra Pradhan — but not in India
)
Google ends Play Services Support, likely to stop these Android phones from downloading apps & games
)
Why more than 75,000 people watched a record Qantas flight on Flightradar24 Friday?
)
Van rams into crowd at Berlin Pride event, one dead; suspect 'linked to Islamist circles'
)
NEET Protests riddled with misinformation? Delhi Police blocks 480 Pakistan-based handles spreading 'fake news' since Operation Sindoor
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
David Jonsson is the new Black Panther: Before his Marvel debut, revisit his best movies and TV shows on OTT
Instead, officials appear to be eying cooperation on defence technologies such as cyber, artificial intelligence and hypersonic weapons, which fall under the AUKUS agreement's so-called "pillar two".
Blinken was in New Zealand for just over a day. His arrival in the island nation was part of a three-country visit to the Pacific.
He met with New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta and will further travel to Australia on Thursday where the largest Australia-U.S. military exercise is due to begin.
Recently, accusations were made against New Zealand of giving importance to its trading relationship with China ahead of its friendships with fellow Five Eyes spy group members the United States, Britain, Canada and Australia.
(With inputs from agencies)
WATCH WION LIVE HERE
You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.