PM Modi to make first official visit to New Zealand next week

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Friday announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake his first official visit to New Zealand next week describing India as one of the worldrsquos largest and fastestgrowing economies and a country of immense importance to New Zealandrsquos future economic prosperityIn a post on X Luxon said ldquoIrsquom delighted to announce Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make his first official visit to New Zealand next weekrdquoHighlighting the significance of the bilateral relationship he added ldquoIndia is one of the worldrsquos largest and fastestgrowing economies and a country of enormous importance to New Zealandrsquos economic prosperityrdquoLuxon said the two countries were taking their partnership to a new level through the New ZealandIndia Free Trade Agreement FTA signed in AprilldquoWe are taking the two countriesrsquo relationship to the next level with our New ZealandIndia Free Trade Agreement signed in April which will deliver more jobs higher exports and stronger economic growth for New Zealandrdquo he saidEmphasising the economic opportunities arising from the agreement the New Zealand Prime Minister said ldquoThis will unlock new opportunities to grow our goods and services exports into a market of 14 billion people ndash bringing more money into Kiwi communities creating jobs and lifting wagesrdquoPrime Minister Modi is scheduled to arrive in Auckland on July 10 and depart on July 11 The visit comes just over two months after India and New Zealand signed the landmark FTA marking a major milestone in bilateral economic relationsThe agreement is expected to significantly deepen trade and investment ties between the two countries It will eliminate tariffs on 95 per cent of goods exported from New Zealand providing greater market access for its exportersThe pact will also enable India to secure dutyfree imports of key manufacturing inputs including wooden logs coking coal and waste and scrap metals These measures are expected to reduce production costs strengthen supply chains and enhance the competitiveness of Indian manufacturingBeyond trade the agreement includes cooperation in agriculture through a dedicated agrotechnology plan to support Indian farmers with expertise and inputs for kiwi fruit apple and honey productionPrime Minister Luxon made an official visit to India from March 16 to 20 2025 During the trip he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and launched negotiations for a Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement FTA Several agreements were also signed across key sectors including defence horticulture and forestryIndia and New Zealand share a warm and multidimensional partnership rooted in shared democratic values Commonwealth ties and a common vision for stability and prosperity in the IndoPacific region