PM Modi begins historic New Zealand visit

The visit is expected to deepen cooperation in commerce, defence, sports and innovation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in New Zealand on Friday, the final leg of his three-nation tour that also took him to Indonesia and Australia. This marks the first visit by an Indian PM to New Zealand in four decades.

PM Christopher Luxon of New Zealand personally received PM Modi at the Auckland airport, where the two leaders exchanged greetings. “Reached Auckland a short while ago. Thankful to Prime Minister Luxon for the welcome at the airport,” PM Modi posted on X.

In a follow-up message, PM Modi described the visit as historic and expressed eagerness to hold comprehensive talks with his counterpart. “I 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 said. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted the significance of the visit, stating it is set to strengthen bilateral ties and open new avenues of cooperation in trade, defence, sports, culture, education, and people-to-people exchanges.

In a special gesture, Auckland’s iconic Sky Tower was illuminated to welcome PM Modi, with the MEA terming it a “special welcome in Auckland” that symbolises the friendship between the two countries. In his departure statement from New Delhi, PM Modi had emphasised that the visit would build upon the strong momentum generated during Luxon’s visit to India in March 2025. He noted that the tour to Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand would further advance India’s Act East Policy, MAHASAGAR Vision, and its commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

During his two-day stay in New Zealand, PM Modi is scheduled to hold detailed discussions with Luxon on enhancing economic, trade, and commercial engagements. He will also interact with the Indian diaspora at a community event in Auckland.

PM Modi’s visit to New Zealand comes after a productive three-day stay in Australia, where he held summit talks with PM Anthony Albanese. The two leaders focused on deepening the bilateral partnership for a peaceful Indo-Pacific, with particular emphasis on ramping up defence cooperation, especially in the maritime domain. A key outcome was the signing of a civil nuclear energy agreement that paves the way for commercial supply of uranium from Australia to fuel India’s nuclear power projects.

Prior to Australia, Modi visited Indonesia, where 14 agreements were signed to boost cooperation in critical minerals, maritime security, and other strategic sectors.

The New Zealand leg is expected to further consolidate India’s growing engagement with the Pacific region and open fresh opportunities for mutually beneficial partnership.