Prime Minister Narendra Modi has described his visit to New Zealand as "historic" shortly after landing in Auckland on Friday, marking the first Indian prime ministerial visit to the country in four decades.
Warm Welcome in Auckland
Upon arrival, PM Modi was warmly greeted at the airport by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, with the two leaders sharing a warm embrace. In a post on X, PM Modi thanked Luxon for the reception and highlighted the significance of the visit.
"Reached Auckland a short while ago. Thankful to Prime Minister Luxon for the welcome at the airport. This visit is historic, being the first Prime Ministerial visit to New Zealand in four decades," he wrote.
Bilateral Talks and Community Engagement
PM Modi expressed eagerness for scheduled talks with PM Luxon, aimed at discussing the full spectrum of India-New Zealand friendship. "Look forward to holding talks with Prime Minister Luxon and discussing the complete range of the India-NZ friendship. I will also be addressing a community programme tomorrow in Auckland," PM Modi added.
According to a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two leaders will review the entire bilateral relationship, which has seen significant progress in the last two years, particularly in trade, commerce, and defence.
In Auckland, PM Modi will also interact with prominent business and sports personalities. Reflecting the strong people-to-people ties, he will address a large gathering of the Indian diaspora during the visit.
Trade Agreement and Strategic Context
The visit comes after the signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and New Zealand in April this year. PM Modi's visit is expected to act as a catalyst, generating further momentum in trade and bilateral relations. Earlier, both prime ministers held a bilateral meeting in New Delhi on March 17, 2025, during PM Luxon's official visit to India.
Before arriving in New Zealand, PM Modi concluded a highly successful visit to Australia, where he participated in the third Australia-India Annual Leaders' Summit with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese. That visit marked a significant milestone in the two nations' six-year Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, resulting in agreements focused on reinforcing the Indo-Pacific's security architecture, securing critical mineral supply chains, and accelerating the transition to clean energy.
