New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon to visit India from March 16
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will embark on an official visit to India from March 16-20 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Monday.
This will be Luxon’s first visit to India since assuming office. He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers, senior officials, business leaders, media representatives, and members of the Indian diaspora in New Zealand.
“Prime Minister Luxon’s visit underscores the longstanding and strong ties between India and New Zealand. It reaffirms the commitment of both nations to further strengthening their bilateral relationship across various sectors and enhancing people-to-people connections,” the MEA stated.
On March 17, Luxon will hold discussions with Prime Minister Modi, covering key aspects of India-New Zealand relations. Modi will also host a luncheon in his honor, and Luxon is scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu the same day.
As part of his visit, Luxon will be the chief guest at the inaugural session of the 10th Raisina Dialogue 2025 in New Delhi, where he will deliver the keynote address. He will then travel to Mumbai on March 19-20 for meetings with Indian business leaders and industry representatives.
Luxon will depart for Wellington from Mumbai on March 20.
India’s High Commissioner to New Zealand, Neeta Bhushan, recently met Luxon to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade, education, culture, research, and innovation. Both sides emphasized their commitment to advancing the partnership.
India and New Zealand share close ties driven by strategic interests and economic collaboration. Despite geographical distance, their relationship is strengthened by trade, education, tourism, and a significant Indian diaspora in New Zealand, which serves as a cultural bridge between the two nations.
Prime Minister Modi and Luxon previously met on the sidelines of the ASEAN-India Summit in Vientiane, Laos, in October 2024. They discussed enhancing economic cooperation, tourism, education, and innovation. Modi also welcomed New Zealand’s decision to join the International Solar Alliance and invited Luxon to visit India.
Recalling the visit of President Droupadi Murmu to New Zealand in August 2024, both leaders acknowledged its success in bolstering diplomatic ties.
Following their meeting in October, PM Modi posted on X: “Had an excellent meeting with the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mr. Christopher Luxon. We value our friendship, bound by our commitment to democracy, freedom, and the rule of law.”
