PM Modi and Luxon to strengthen India-NZ ties across all sectors
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Monday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, expanding trade, enhancing defence cooperation, and maintaining peace in the Indo-Pacific region.
After holding talks at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, the two leaders outlined a shared vision for a deeper strategic partnership. Luxon, who arrived in Delhi on Sunday for his first official visit to India, is the first New Zealand Prime Minister to visit the country in nine years.
PM Modi praised Luxon’s strong connection with India, highlighting his participation in Holi celebrations in Auckland and his engagement with the Indian diaspora. “His affection for the Indian-origin community in New Zealand is evident from the large delegation accompanying him on this visit,” PM Modi said.
Key Agreements and Areas of Cooperation:
- Defence and Security: The two leaders agreed to strengthen defence ties through joint exercises, training programs, and collaboration in the defence industry. A New Zealand naval ship will make a port call in Mumbai as part of the growing maritime security cooperation.
- Trade: Modi and Luxon announced the start of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to enhance trade in dairy, food processing, and pharmaceuticals. Current bilateral trade stands at NZD 3 billion annually, with both sides aiming to expand it significantly.
- Renewable Energy and Critical Minerals: Renewable energy, forestry, and horticulture were identified as priority areas for investment and collaboration.
- Sports and Cultural Ties: The two leaders decided to celebrate 100 years of sporting relations between India and New Zealand in 2026, focusing on sports science, psychology, and player exchanges.
- Education and Skilled Migration: Modi invited New Zealand universities to establish campuses in India and emphasised the need for a formal agreement to facilitate skilled worker migration while addressing illegal immigration.
- Counterterrorism: Both leaders condemned terrorism, including the 2019 Christchurch and 2008 Mumbai attacks, and stressed the importance of coordinated efforts to combat extremism.
Shared Vision for Indo-Pacific:
PM Modi and Luxon reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. PM Modi welcomed New Zealand’s decision to join the Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative, stressing that both nations believe in “development, not expansionism.”
Using a rugby analogy, PM Modi said, “In the language of rugby, we are ready to front up for the bright future of our relations. I am confident that our partnership will be a match-winning partnership for the people of both countries.”
Luxon’s Commitment to Strengthening Ties:
Luxon praised the strong people-to-people ties and the contributions of the Indian diaspora in New Zealand. He expressed confidence that the bilateral agreements signed during the visit would strengthen cooperation in defence, security, trade, education, tourism, and sports.
“We have just concluded a series of highly productive meetings and witnessed a number of government-to-government arrangements that will strengthen the growing ties between India and New Zealand,” Luxon said.
Luxon also announced that New Zealand would increase its diplomatic presence in India by over 60%, underscoring the importance of the relationship.
On trade, Luxon said, “I am pleased to announce the launch of Free Trade Agreement negotiations, which will be ambitious, balanced, and mutually beneficial.”
The visit is expected to deepen diplomatic and economic ties between India and New Zealand, setting the stage for greater strategic collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region.
