New Zealand PM Luxon Arrives in Delhi to Strengthen Bilateral Ties

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon arrived in Delhi for his first official visit to India, receiving a warm welcome. His visit marks a significant step in bolstering bilateral relations, particularly in trade and investment. According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Luxon’s arrival was accompanied by a key meeting between India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand’s Minister for Trade and Investment, Todd McLeay. The discussions set the stage for strengthening economic ties between the two nations.

India and New Zealand share a long-standing partnership built on democratic values, strong people-to-people connections, and economic complementarities. Both countries have been working towards enhancing trade and investment cooperation, with negotiations on the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) focused on achieving a balanced outcome. The objective is to improve market access and integrate supply chains, reflecting a mutual commitment to economic growth and resilience.

Luxon, accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers, senior officials, business leaders, media representatives, and members of the Indian community in New Zealand, will be in India until March 20. On March 17, he is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, covering various aspects of India-New Zealand relations. Following their discussions, PM Modi will host a luncheon in his honour. Luxon will also meet President Droupadi Murmu on the same day.

As part of his visit, Luxon will be the chief guest at the inaugural session of the 10th Raisina Dialogue 2025, where he will deliver the keynote address. On March 19-20, he will travel to Mumbai to engage with Indian business leaders and representatives from various industries before departing for Wellington on March 20.

Trade between India and New Zealand continues to grow, with total trade reaching $1.75 billion in 2023-24. New Zealand’s exports to India amounted to $0.84 billion, while imports stood at $0.91 billion. Luxon’s visit is expected to further strengthen economic collaboration and pave the way for deeper engagement between the two nations.