Prime Minister Narendra Modi commenced his historic visit to New Zealand on July 10, 2026, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in four decades. The Indian diaspora in Auckland welcomed him with vibrant cultural performances, underscoring the enduring connection with India despite the geographical distance.
Vibrant Cultural Welcome in Auckland
During the community welcome in Auckland on Friday evening, PM Modi witnessed a celebration of India's rich cultural heritage. The performances showcased the cultures of Punjab and Tamil Nadu, a fusion of Carnatic and Hindustani classical music, and a stirring rendition of Vande Mataram. In a post on X, the PM praised the diaspora, saying, "I compliment our diaspora for keeping India's cultural heritage vibrant across generations and continents and for strengthening the enduring people-to-people bonds between India and New Zealand."
PM Modi also lauded the Naad Vocal Ensemble's musical performance, highlighting how music has the unique ability to bring people together. "Today's performance beautifully reflected the warmth and depth of India-New Zealand friendship," he added.
Diaspora's Enthusiasm and Sky Tower Tribute
Expressing deep gratitude, PM Modi noted that the Indian community's enthusiasm was palpable upon his arrival. "The love and affection of the New Zealand's Indian community touched me deeply. They have waited four decades for the visit of an Indian Prime Minister and their extraordinary enthusiasm and warmth were visible today. Their bond with India remains unwavering," he said.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, as of January 2026, New Zealand has 1,43,000 persons of Indian origin and 1,57,000 NRIs, totaling 3,00,000 overseas Indians. The iconic Sky Tower in Auckland was lit in the colours of India's national flag to mark the visit, symbolizing the bonhomie between the two nations. MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared the visuals on X, emphasizing the gesture's significance.
Bilateral Engagements and Trade Deal
Upon arrival, PM Modi was welcomed by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Prior to the visit, PM Luxon highlighted the benefits of the India-New Zealand trade deal, stating that "57% of everything we export to India will be tariff free from day one." In Auckland, PM Modi will hold bilateral discussions with PM Luxon to review the entire gamut of bilateral relations, which have seen significant progress in trade, commerce, and defence over the last two years.
PM Modi will also interact with prominent business and sports personalities and address a large gathering of the Indian diaspora, reflecting the strong people-to-people ties. The visit follows the signing of a Free Trade Agreement in April 2026 and is expected to generate momentum in trade and bilateral relations. Both PMs had previously met in New Delhi on March 17, 2025, during PM Luxon's official visit to India.
Wider Geopolitical Context
PM Modi's visit to New Zealand comes after successful visits to Australia and Indonesia, reflecting New Delhi's continued momentum in deepening ties across the Indo-Pacific and the Act East Policy. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung reshared the arrival video of PM Modi on X and wished for the friendship and progress of both India and New Zealand in Korean, English, and Hindi. PM Modi thanked him for the kind wishes.
While in Australia, PM Modi visited the Melbourne Cricket Ground with PM Anthony Albanese and unveiled the Roadmap on Sport Cooperation. The high-level engagements led to deeper cooperation in uranium exports, renewable energy, critical minerals, and green hydrogen, including an agreement for Australian uranium exports to India for peaceful nuclear energy use. In Indonesia, India and Indonesia signed agreements for the supply of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and ASTRA beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles, reaffirming their commitment to a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
