Auckland: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 11, Saturday was accorded a Guard of Honour during his ceremonial welcome at the Government House in New Zealand’s Auckland. PM Modi also held bilateral talks with his Kiwi counterpart, Christopher Luxon and reviewed the entire gamut of the bilateral relationship, which has seen significant progress in the last two years, especially in the areas of trade, commerce and defence.
The Prime Minister also interacted with prominent business and sports personalities. In a reflection of the strong people-to-people ties that exist between India and New Zealand, Prime Minister also addressed a large gathering of the Indian Diaspora.
Glad that my friend Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined the community programme in Auckland. His presence reflects the warmth he has for India and the Indian community.@chrisluxonmp pic.twitter.com/zYr9ZkZBHi
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 11, 2026
The Indian community in New Zealand is one of the strongest pillars of our friendship. Addressing them in Auckland was a memorable experience.
Here are some more glimpses from the community programme… pic.twitter.com/CFOlXnD6U8
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 11, 2026
An unforgettable atmosphere at the community programme in Auckland!
Grateful to the Indian community of New Zealand. pic.twitter.com/aarWK3q8eg
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 11, 2026
After the signing of the Free Trade Agreement in April this year, the visit of Prime Minister Modi is expected to work as a catalyst and generate momentum in trade and bilateral relations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accorded a traditional Maori powhiri ceremonial welcome reflecting New Zealand’s rich indigenous heritage and cultural traditions.
PM @narendramodi received a ceremonial welcome at Government House in Auckland. The traditional Māori pōwhiri reflected New Zealand's rich culture and traditions. pic.twitter.com/UfDsDBrvOq
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 11, 2026
India-New Zealand relations beyond FTA
Prime Minister Modi described the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as a historic milestone in bilateral ties, thanking New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon for concluding the pact in a short span. PM Modi also hailed the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand in 40 years, saying it had infused new momentum into the relationship and reaffirmed the two countries’ commitment to deepening their partnership. In this direction, totally 18 MoUs were sealed.
This has been a great year for the India-New Zealand partnership. Earlier this year, our nations concluded a Free Trade Agreement in record time and now, we have elevated our ties to a Strategic Partnership. Next up, we wish to double bilateral trade by 2030! https://t.co/IyR5qpUt2X
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 11, 2026
Meanwhile, both leaders welcomed the conclusion and signature of a balanced, comprehensive and mutually beneficial India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and agreed to work together to ensure its early entry into force and effective implementation.
The Prime Minister said that the two countries are natural partners due to their shared democratic values and close cooperation as maritime nations in the Indo-Pacific. Expressing confidence in the future of the partnership, PM Modi said both countries could make a meaningful contribution to global peace, stability and security.
Bilateral ties elevated to Strategic partnership & 2030 roadmap
India and New Zealand elevated their bilateral relationship to a “Strategic Partnership” and adopted the “India-New Zealand Strategic Partnership: Roadmap to 2030”, setting out an ambitious framework to deepen cooperation across trade, agriculture, security, innovation and people-to-people ties over the next four years.
PM Modi also said that the bilateral trade between India and New Zealand has grown by more than 50 per cent in the last three years and expressed confidence that the recently signed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) would provide the foundation to double trade over the next five years. The two leaders agreed to an ambitious long-term vision for the Strategic Partnership, which aims to take bilateral relations to a new level, strengthen existing cooperation mechanisms and explore new avenues for deepening cooperation, both bilaterally and multilaterally.
Prime Ministers @narendramodi and @chrisluxonmp held productive talks in Auckland.
The two leaders decided to elevate India-New Zealand ties to a Strategic Partnership. They discussed expanding cooperation in sectors such as trade, investment, technology, agriculture, dairy,… pic.twitter.com/o6OQZ4OPa8
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 11, 2026
“This is a significant step forward in a world that is increasingly volatile and uncertain. Strong partnerships are more important than ever before. This provides a stronger platform for practical cooperation in prosperity, security and people-to-people connections. It will deepen our links in trade, investment, education, technology, sport and tourism. And it will also enable closer cooperation on defence, maritime security and law enforcement. But most importantly, it means building a relationship that benefits both countries and delivers real results”, the New Zealand Prime Minister reiterated.
Under Pillar III of the Roadmap on Trade and Economic Cooperation, both countries agreed to work towards an aspirational goal of doubling bilateral two-way trade in goods and services to NZD 7 billion (₹35,000 crore) by 2030. The roadmap also states that both sides will work together on next steps for the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement to ensure its early entry into force and effective implementation.
The joint statement further said that New Zealand can support India’s Viksit Bharat goal to become a developed country by 2047, including through cooperation in trade, agriculture, skills, innovation, clean energy, sport and other areas. On customs cooperation, the Roadmap provides for operationalising the 2025 Authorised Economic Operators Mutual Recognition Arrangement (AEO-MRA) under the aegis of the 2024 Customs Cooperation Arrangement (CCA) to simplify customs processes and facilitate trusted trade.
The two leaders also welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Arrangement on Tourism and encouraged airlines to commence direct non-stop flights between India and New Zealand. MoU between the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa and University of Canterbury, NZ was also established as a framework for collaboration in Antarctic research. It aims to strengthen partnership by promoting joint research, academic exchange, capacity building and other mutually beneficial scientific and educational activities in the region of Antarctica.
Agricultural cooperation
The Joint Statement also highlighted expanding cooperation in primary industries, including horticulture, forestry, animal husbandry and dairying and welcomed the Agricultural Productivity Partnership under the FTA, including New Zealand’s work with India on productivity action plans for kiwifruit, apples and honey and support for Centres of Excellence in kiwifruit in India and the conclusion of a Memorandum of Cooperation on Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
PM Modi addresses Business & Sports Engagement event; Lauds USD 20bn investment in India
Delivering his address at the Business and Sports Engagement event in Auckland, PM Modi stated that the India-New Zealand FTA, concluded in a record nine months, would unlock unprecedented opportunities across sectors. It will increase market access, investment, services and technology. Emphasising New Zealand’s long-term financial commitment, PM Modi noted that it reflects strong global confidence in India’s economic trajectory.
PM @narendramodi participated in the India-New Zealand Business Event in Auckland with PM @chrisluxonmp. He highlighted India's emergence as a global growth engine and discussed opportunities in sectors such as technology, talent mobility, services, food processing, FinTech,… pic.twitter.com/zqjvJUWaJ8
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 11, 2026
Sports have always been a strong bridge between India and New Zealand. This year, we are also marking a century of vibrant sporting ties.
In Auckland, PM Luxon and I attended a Sporting Showcase, where we saw a range of cutting-edge sporting innovations. It was wonderful to see… pic.twitter.com/DyHIL7Tp0B
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 11, 2026
“New Zealand has committed to a USD 20 billion investment in India over the next 15 years. This is not just a commitment to investment, but also to being a partner in India’s development journey”, PM Modi added. The Prime Minister pointed out that the event marks a historic turning point, as both nations formally elevated their ties to a Strategic Partnership.
PM Modi also expressed gratitude, especially to Maori business leaders. “India’s culture and Maori tradition both have deep respect for nature, community and sustainability. Even in our FTA, opportunities for Maori businesses have been given a special place. Connecting our shared values, we can build a new model for inclusive and sustainable trade”, the Prime Minister said.
The Maori business sector in New Zealand operates across the full range of commercial and export markets. While historically strong in agribusiness, fisheries and forestry, Maori enterprises are expanding into tourism, real estate, professional services and green energy. The economy is distinct for being intergenerational, sustainability-focused and community-driven. They deal in dairy, sheep, beef and kiwifruit.
Defence cooperation to seal maritime security across the Indo-Pacific
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the growing defence and security cooperation between India and New Zealand reflects the “deep strategic trust” between the two countries, as the two sides agreed to strengthen maritime cooperation, institutionalise defence engagement and expand collaboration on counter-terrorism and transnational crime.
PM Modi said that the defence partnership had entered a new phase with agreements aimed at enhancing cooperation across the Indo-Pacific. “Today, we have reached an agreement on a framework for maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. Mutual coordination between us will increase through bilateral naval exercises, logistics support and cooperation in hydrography”, PM Modi reiterated.
According to the India-New Zealand Joint Statement, the two Prime Ministers welcomed progress in implementing the 2025 Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation and agreed to institutionalise regular structured engagement between their Defence Ministries and armed services. The leaders also welcomed cooperation under Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) in 2025, where New Zealand served as Commander and India as Deputy Commander, supporting international efforts to deter narcotics smuggling, terrorism and other illicit maritime activities in West Asia and the Western Indian Ocean.
Recognising their shared interests as maritime nations committed to a free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific, the two sides concluded a Maritime Cooperation Arrangement (MCA), an Implementing Arrangement on Cooperation in Matters of Hydrography and Nautical Cartography and a Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement focused on the maritime domain. They also welcomed bilateral naval exercises under the MCA.
The Joint Statement said India welcomed New Zealand’s nomination of Maritime Security as its priority pillar under the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, while both countries agreed to establish an annual Maritime Security Dialogue to strengthen cooperation, coordination and information sharing. The two leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to deepen collaboration on counter-terrorism, cyber security and other emerging security challenges through bilateral, regional and multilateral mechanisms.
In addition, India and New Zealand agreed to strengthen practical law enforcement cooperation to combat transnational organised crime, including illicit drug trafficking, financial crime, cyber-enabled crime, terrorism-related offences, people smuggling and trafficking in persons. They also agreed to work towards the early formalisation of counter-narcotics and broader law enforcement cooperation arrangements between their respective agencies.
New Zealand PM Luxon described India as one of the world’s fastest and largest-growing economies, calling it “a major geopolitical player and an Indo-Pacific partner, known for its scale, its innovation, its ambition and its strategic influence”.
Standing shoulder-to-shoulder to fight against terrorism
Announcing a major leap in security cooperation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India and New Zealand have resolved to fight terrorism “shoulder to shoulder” by establishing a dedicated Joint Working Group, while simultaneously strengthening their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and comprehensive reforms in the United Nations.
The two Prime Ministers also reiterated their “absolute condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism”, while strongly condemning the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, 2025 and the terror incident near Red Fort in New Delhi on November 10, 2025. Calling for a “zero-tolerance and consistent approach to terrorism”, the leaders stressed the need to dismantle terror infrastructure, disrupt terrorism financing networks and safe havens and bring perpetrators to justice swiftly.
The Joint Statement welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Arrangement establishing a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism, which will provide a framework for information and knowledge sharing between the two countries. The two leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in multilateral forums, including the United Nations and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and stressed the urgent need for all countries to take “immediate, sustained, concerted and concrete action” against UN-proscribed terrorist organisations, their affiliates, proxies, sponsors, financiers and backers.
(With Inputs from ANI)
