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PM Modi to make first official visit to New Zealand
Visit follows April trade pact and aims to deepen bilateral economic cooperation.
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IANS - Fri, 03, Jul 2026
- 05:32 EDT
- 60
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon are set to meet in Auckland. / IANS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make his first official visit to New Zealand next week, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced on July 3, describing India as a key partner for the country's economic future.
In a post on X, Luxon said Modi will visit New Zealand on July 10 and 11. The visit follows the signing of the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in April and comes as both countries seek to expand economic and strategic cooperation.
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"India is one of the world's largest and fastest-growing economies, and a country of enormous importance to New Zealand's economic prosperity," Luxon wrote.
He said the FTA would take bilateral ties "to the next level" by creating new opportunities for trade and investment.
According to New Zealand, the agreement will eliminate tariffs on 95 percent of the country's exports to India, expanding access for goods and services in the Indian market. India is expected to benefit through duty-free imports of key manufacturing inputs, including wooden logs, coking coal, and waste and scrap metals, helping reduce production costs and strengthen supply chains.
The agreement also includes agricultural cooperation through an agri-technology plan aimed at supporting Indian farmers with expertise in kiwi fruit, apple, and honey production.
Luxon visited India from March 16 to 20, where he met Modi and launched negotiations for the FTA. The two sides also signed agreements covering defence, horticulture and forestry.
India and New Zealand share a partnership based on democratic values, Commonwealth ties and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. Officials from both countries have said the new trade agreement is expected to further strengthen bilateral trade, investment and sectoral collaboration.
The upcoming visit will be Modi's first official trip to New Zealand since taking office. It is expected to focus on implementing the recently signed FTA and advancing cooperation across trade, investment and other priority sectors.
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