Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in New Zealand on Friday, marking the final leg of his three-nation tour after visits to Indonesia and Australia.
He was welcomed at Auckland airport by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, where the two leaders exchanged greetings. Modi described the visit as historic, noting it is the first by an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand in four decades.
During his two-day stay, Modi will hold talks with Luxon to enhance economic, trade, and commercial engagements. He will also address the Indian diaspora at a community programme in Auckland. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that the visit will strengthen bilateral ties and open new avenues of cooperation in trade, defence, sports, culture, education, and people-to-people exchanges.
In his departure statement, Modi emphasised that the tour builds on the momentum created by Luxon’s visit to India in March 2025. He highlighted that his engagements in Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand reinforce India’s Act East Policy, MAHASAGAR Vision, and commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Earlier in Australia, Modi and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese sealed a civil nuclear energy agreement to facilitate uranium supply for India’s nuclear power projects. The leaders also focused on expanding defence cooperation, particularly in the maritime domain. In Indonesia, Modi signed 14 agreements covering critical minerals, maritime security, and other sectors.
