Auckland [New Zealand], July 11 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Saturday (local time) held extensive bilateral talks covering the “entire spectrum of bilateral relations,” agreed to elevate ties to a Strategic Partnership, and set a target of doubling bilateral trade by 2030, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The two leaders met at Government House in Auckland, where Prime Minister Modi was accorded a traditional Māori welcome featuring customary rituals symbolizing peace, respect, and hospitality before inspecting a Guard of Honor.
The prime ministers held discussions in both restricted and delegation-level formats, with talks covering trade and investment, defense and security, agri-tech, sports, education, tourism, culture, and people-to-people ties.
According to the MEA, the bilateral talks covered the “entire spectrum of bilateral relations,” with both sides agreeing to elevate the relationship to a Strategic Partnership, marking “a new chapter in India-New Zealand relations.”
The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepen cooperation across areas of mutual interest and underscored the importance of the early implementation of the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA). They also agreed to work toward doubling bilateral trade by 2030.
The prime ministers exchanged views on regional and global developments and reiterated their commitment to strengthening cooperation in multilateral forums.
Following the talks, the leaders witnessed the exchange of several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and other agreements covering defense and maritime security, hydrography, sports, disaster management, dairy, tourism, maritime heritage, culture, food technology, and ocean research.
The two sides also adopted a Joint Statement outlining the future direction of the bilateral partnership.
Prime Minister Modi thanked Prime Minister Luxon for his warm hospitality and invited him to visit India.
According to the MEA, Prime Minister Modi’s visit to New Zealand resulted in 18 outcomes across a wide range of sectors, including maritime cooperation and counterterrorism.
Modi described 2026 as a significant year for the India-New Zealand partnership.
Prime Minister Modi is on a two-day official visit to New Zealand from July 10-11 at the invitation of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. The visit is the first by an Indian prime minister to New Zealand in 40 years. (ANI)
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