Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake his first official bilateral visit to New Zealand next week, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced on Friday.
The visit is expected to further strengthen ties between the two countries, with discussions likely to focus on trade, investment, regional cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
The announcement comes just months after India and New Zealand signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in April, marking a significant milestone in bilateral economic relations.
Focus on stronger economic ties
The recently signed FTA is expected to eliminate 95 per cent of tariffs on goods exported from New Zealand, paving the way for increased trade and investment between the two nations.
The agreement is aimed at boosting market access for businesses, strengthening supply chains and creating new opportunities across sectors such as agriculture, technology, education and services.
Officials from both countries have described the deal as a major step towards expanding economic cooperation and fostering long-term growth.
Visit expected to deepen strategic partnership
Prime Minister Modi’s visit is expected to build on the momentum created by the trade agreement while exploring avenues for broader collaboration.
Apart from economic issues, the leaders are likely to discuss regional developments in the Indo-Pacific, innovation, education, clean energy and strengthening strategic partnerships.
India and New Zealand have steadily expanded their engagement in recent years through growing trade, educational exchanges and cooperation in multilateral forums.
The upcoming visit is expected to reinforce the shared commitment of both nations to enhancing bilateral relations and unlocking new opportunities for cooperation.