NEW DELHI (Diya TV) — New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has begun an official five-day visit to India today to boost economic and strategic relations between the two countries. He is accompanied by a senior delegation of business and community representatives. The visit reflects New Zealand’s intent to deepen its engagement with India.
In New Delhi, Luxon sat down with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss a variety of matters, such as trade, defense, education, and tourism. A major outcome of their meetings was the commitment to resume negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA), which has been in limbo since 2015. Both leaders were hopeful about clinching the FTA by December 2025 to increase bilateral trade, which was at $1.7 billion in the 2023-24 financial year.
The two nations also sealed deals in fields like defense, food processing, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, and critical minerals. The accords will likely create new paths for cooperation, mirroring the mutual aspiration to diversify and deepen the bilateral relationship.
Emphasizing the cultural significance of his visit, Luxon, in the company of Modi, paid respects at the ancient Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib in New Delhi. The move stressed the role of people-to-people relationships in deepening bilateral relations.
Luxon’s schedule includes attending the 10th Raisina Dialogue as the chief guest, during which he will give the keynote speech. He is also expected to travel to Mumbai to meet with Indian business leaders and discuss possibilities of cooperation in different sectors.
