Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accorded a Guard of Honour during his ceremonial welcome at the Government House in Auckland, New Zealand, on Saturday local time, ahead of bilateral talks with his Kiwi counterpart, Christopher Luxon.
Historic Visit After Four Decades
PM Modi arrived in Auckland on Friday, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to visit New Zealand in 40 years. Upon arrival, he was greeted by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, and the two leaders shared a warm embrace. Modi described the visit as "historic" in a post on X, thanking Luxon for the welcome.
According to a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), PM Modi will review the entire gamut of the bilateral relationship, which has seen significant progress in the last two years, especially in trade, commerce, and defence.
Bilateral Talks and Trade Momentum
PM Modi will hold bilateral talks with Luxon and also interact with prominent business and sports personalities. The visit follows the signing of a Free Trade Agreement in April 2025, which is expected to catalyze trade and bilateral relations. The two leaders previously held a bilateral meeting in New Delhi on March 17, 2025, during Luxon's official visit to India.
In his X post, PM Modi expressed optimism: "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."
Diaspora Engagement and People-to-People Ties
In a reflection of strong people-to-people ties, PM Modi will address a large gathering of the Indian diaspora during his visit, as per the MEA.
Successful Australia Visit Precedes New Zealand Trip
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. The meeting in Melbourne resulted in a landmark suite of agreements focused on reinforcing the Indo-Pacific's security architecture, securing critical mineral supply chains, and accelerating the clean energy transition, marking a milestone in the six-year Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
