Sky Tower Illuminated in Tricolour to Welcome PM Modi
New Zealand's iconic Sky Tower in Auckland was lit in the colours of India's national flag as Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his historic visit to the country on July 10, 2026. This marks the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand in four decades.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared visuals of the illuminated Sky Tower on X, stating, "A special welcome in Auckland! The iconic Sky Tower was illuminated to mark the visit of PM @narendramodi to New Zealand, symbolising the friendship between our two countries."
PM Modi Calls Visit 'Historic'
Shortly after arriving in Auckland, PM Modi described his visit as "historic" in a post on X. He thanked New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon for welcoming him at the airport and highlighted that this is the first Indian Prime Ministerial visit to the nation in four decades.
"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.
PM Modi expressed optimism about his scheduled talks with PM Luxon regarding the bilateral partnership and his community address in Auckland. "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," he added.
Bilateral Discussions and Diaspora Engagement
In Auckland, PM Modi will hold bilateral discussions with PM Luxon to review the entire gamut of the bilateral relationship, which has seen significant progress in the last two years, especially in trade, commerce, and defence, according to a statement by the MEA.
During his visit, PM Modi will also interact with prominent business and sports personalities. In a reflection of strong people-to-people ties, he will address a large gathering of the Indian diaspora.
Trade and Bilateral Relations Boosted by Free Trade Agreement
After the signing of a Free Trade Agreement in April 2026, PM Modi's visit is expected to act as a catalyst, generating momentum in trade and bilateral relations. Both prime ministers previously held a bilateral meeting in New Delhi on March 17, 2025, during the official visit of PM Luxon to India.
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 his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese. That visit marked a significant milestone in the six-year Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations. 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 transition to clean energy.
