Hyderabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake his first official visit to New Zealand next week, with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announcing that the visit marks a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations.
Making the announcement on Friday, Luxon described India as one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies and said the country holds immense importance for New Zealand’s future economic prosperity.
“I’m delighted to announce Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make his first official visit to New Zealand next week,” Luxon said in a post on X.
PM Modi is scheduled to arrive in Auckland on July 10 and conclude his visit on July 11.
Focus on Free Trade Agreement
The visit comes just over two months after India and New Zealand signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in April, aimed at significantly expanding trade, investment and economic cooperation.
According to Luxon, the agreement will elevate bilateral relations and create more jobs, boost exports and strengthen New Zealand’s economic growth.
The FTA is expected to eliminate tariffs on 95 per cent of New Zealand’s exports to India, providing greater market access for Kiwi businesses. For India, the pact will facilitate duty-free imports of key industrial raw materials, including wooden logs, coking coal, and waste and scrap metals, helping reduce manufacturing costs and strengthen supply chains.
The agreement also includes cooperation in agriculture through a dedicated agri-technology initiative, enabling knowledge-sharing in kiwi fruit, apple and honey production to benefit Indian farmers.
Strengthening Strategic Partnership
The upcoming visit follows Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s official trip to India from March 16 to 20, 2025, during which he held bilateral talks with PM Modi and formally launched negotiations for the Free Trade Agreement. Both countries also signed agreements covering defence, horticulture and forestry cooperation.
India and New Zealand share a longstanding partnership based on democratic values, Commonwealth ties and a shared commitment to peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
PM Modi’s visit is expected to further deepen the strategic partnership while expanding cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture and regional security.
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