PM Modi Announces UPI Integration with New Zealand's Payment Network
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a gala lunch hosted by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Auckland on Saturday, announced that India and New Zealand are moving ahead with connecting India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with New Zealand's fast-payment system. This digital integration forms a key pillar of the newly minted Strategic Partnership between the two nations.
"Friends, to make our Strategic Partnership meaningful, we are turning the strengths of both countries into practical cooperation. In the field of Fintech, we are moving ahead with connecting India's UPI and New Zealand's payment system. In agriculture, dairy, and food processing, we have developed a strong framework for cooperation, which will benefit our farmers and cattle rearers," PM Modi said.
Expanding Cooperation Across Agriculture, Dairy, and Food Processing
Beyond digital payments, the leaders outlined a robust framework for collaboration in agriculture, dairy, and food processing. PM Modi emphasized that this cooperation would directly benefit Indian farmers and livestock owners by leveraging New Zealand's expertise in these sectors.
Invitation to New Zealand Universities to Open Campuses in India
Focusing on educational ties, PM Modi invited New Zealand's premier educational institutions to scale up their presence in India under relaxed policies. He noted that New Zealand has been an important destination for Indian students and expressed hope for greater academic exchanges.
"The Cultural Cooperation MOU signed today will boost exchanges in the arts, culture, heritage, and creative industries of both countries. New Zealand has been an important destination for Indian students. We invite New Zealand universities to open campuses in India," the Prime Minister added. He also announced a mutual push to mainstream traditional medicine systems in healthcare cooperation.
Diaspora Lauded as 'Bedrock' of Bilateral Ties
PM Modi praised the Kiwi-Indian community as the strongest strength of the bilateral relationship. "People of the Indian community, through their hard work and talent, have carved out a special place for themselves in New Zealand. I thank Prime Minister Luxon, the New Zealand government, and the people of New Zealand for their care," he said.
The India-New Zealand Joint Statement formally recognized the Indian community as an "integral and valued part of New Zealand's diverse society" and a "living bridge" driving the economy, culture, and public life of both nations.
Sports and Cultural Cooperation Under 'Roadmap to 2030'
Beyond corporate and digital trade, the two leaders heralded an ambitious sports matrix, welcoming the '100 Years of Unity Through Sport in 2026' and a comprehensive 'India-New Zealand Joint Action Plan on Sport.' This plan sets up a practical framework to exchange expertise in high-performance sports, coaching, and sports science.
Cultural and historical ties received an institutional boost via a new arrangement linking India's National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal with the New Zealand Maritime Museum.
Historic Visit and 'Roadmap to 2030'
The sweeping cross-sector announcements form the core of the newly adopted 'Roadmap to 2030,' signed during the historic two-day visit—the first by an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand in 40 years. The roadmap outlines a comprehensive vision for bilateral cooperation across multiple domains, reflecting the deepening ties between the two countries.
