The two leaders also witnessed the exchange of multiple MoUs, while Prime Minister Modi received a traditional Maori powhiri ceremonial welcome and is scheduled to meet business leaders and address the Indian diaspora during his visit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon hold delegation-level talks in Auckland, where the two countries agreed to elevate bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership. | ANI
India and New Zealand on Saturday agreed to elevate their relationship to a Strategic Partnership, opening a broader framework for cooperation beyond trade as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon in Auckland during the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in four decades.
The announcement signals an expansion of bilateral engagement across multiple sectors and comes months after the two countries concluded a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The leaders also witnessed the exchange of several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) following delegation-level discussions.
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Speaking after the talks, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described the visit as a historic moment for bilateral relations.
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“It is a pleasure and honour to host you here today. It’s a truly historic event, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand in 40 years. This visit is also a significant milestone in the New Zealand-India relationship,” he said.
Luxon said both countries had made rapid progress on the trade front but stressed that the next phase of engagement would extend beyond the FTA.
“I think we’ve made tremendous progress in a very short period of time on the trade agenda. But today’s focus is about more than just the FTA. It’s about where we go to next in this relationship and how we broaden that out… We will be forming a strategic partnership which will give the relationship more framework and breadth for us to continue to expand as we go forward from here,” he said.
He also thanked Prime Minister Modi for his personal efforts in strengthening ties between the two nations.
Prime Minister Modi said the visit had injected fresh momentum into bilateral ties and welcomed the decision to deepen cooperation through the Strategic Partnership.
“It gives me great pleasure that an Indian Prime Minister has visited New Zealand after 40 years. By organising an event in your economic capital, you have created an opportunity to infuse new strength into the relationship between India and New Zealand. I am deeply grateful,” he said.
Calling the recently concluded FTA a landmark achievement, PM Modi credited Luxon’s leadership for concluding the agreement in a short period.
“When you visited India, the FTA process began. The way all of New Zealand united to bring the FTA to fruition in such a short time, perhaps a global first for such a swift success, is remarkable. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to your leadership, your government and your team for this achievement,” he said.
Referring to Luxon’s visit to India during Holi last year, PM Modi said the two countries were now taking their relationship to a higher level.
“You visited India last year during the festival of Holi. Your visit added new colours to our relationship, much like the colours of Holi. Today, we are binding our relationship together through a Strategic Partnership. This milestone will inspire us to move forward with greater energy and confidence,” he said.
PM Modi said India and New Zealand were natural partners because of their shared democratic values and maritime interests in the Indo-Pacific.
“Our firm belief in democratic values makes us natural partners. It is a match made for each other. Furthermore, our close cooperation as two maritime nations lends new strength to the Indo-Pacific. I am confident that this visit will further strengthen our bilateral ties and enhance our joint contribution to global peace, stability and security,” he said.
Luxon also highlighted the economic potential of the newly signed FTA.
In a post on X, he said, “New Zealand and India bookend the Indo-Pacific, but distance is no barrier to us working together to grow our economies. That’s what we’re doing through our free trade agreement, which will eliminate tariffs on 57 per cent of everything we sell to India on day one.”
Prime Minister Modi began his engagements in Auckland with a traditional Maori powhiri ceremony at Government House.
In a post on X, he said he was “honoured” to receive the ceremonial welcome.
“Honoured to receive a ceremonial welcome at Government House in Auckland. The traditional Maori powhiri was a moving reflection of New Zealand’s rich heritage and traditions,” he wrote.
Later in the day, PM Modi is scheduled to meet business and sports personalities and address a gathering of the Indian diaspora, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
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