Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with his New Zealand counterpart, Christopher Luxon, in Auckland on Saturday, local time. The discussions at the Government House followed a ceremonial welcome where PM Modi was accorded a Guard of Honour.
Historic Visit After Four Decades
PM Modi described his visit as "historic," noting it is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand in 40 years. In a post on X, he thanked PM Luxon for the warm welcome at the airport and expressed optimism about their talks on the bilateral partnership. "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.
Schedule and Engagements
Later on Saturday, PM Modi is scheduled to interact with prominent business and sports personalities. He will also address a large gathering of the Indian diaspora, reflecting the strong people-to-people ties between India and New Zealand, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Free Trade Agreement and Bilateral Momentum
The visit follows the signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in April this year, which is expected to generate further momentum in trade and bilateral relations. The two leaders previously held a bilateral meeting in New Delhi on March 17, 2025, during PM Luxon's official visit to India.
Conclusion of Australia Visit
Before arriving in Auckland, PM Modi concluded a highly successful visit to Australia, where he participated in the third Australia-India Annual Leaders' Summit with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. That visit marked a significant milestone in the two nations' six-year Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, resulting in agreements focused on reinforcing Indo-Pacific security architecture, securing critical mineral supply chains, and accelerating the transition to clean energy.
