Archive · 30 Jul 2026
PM Modi’s visit takes India‑New Zealand bilateral ties into new phase
Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India visited New Zealand for the first time in 20 years.
He and New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon made a big deal called a Strategic Partnership.
They promised to work together on many things like trade, defence, and sports.
They also set a plan to finish by 2030 that covers many areas.
They want to double trade to about NZ$7 billion by 2030.
They made agreements so their navies can help each other on ships.
This visit shows the two countries want to be close friends and help each other more.
PM Modi’s two‑day visit to Auckland marks the first Indian premier visit to New Zealand in two decades.
The visit upgraded India‑New Zealand relations to a full Strategic Partnership with a four‑year Roadmap to 2030.
India and New Zealand set a target to double bilateral trade to NZ$7 billion (≈$4.2 billion) by 2030.
Eighteen outcomes were produced, including 10 agreements and memoranda of understanding covering defence, trade, maritime security, and more.
A Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement and a Maritime Cooperation Memorandum were signed to allow each navy to use the other’s facilities.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon
- What
- Upgraded bilateral ties to a full Strategic Partnership and signed 10 agreements, including a four‑year Roadmap to 2030
- When
- During a two‑day visit in Auckland
- Where
- Auckland, New Zealand
- Why
- To deepen cooperation across defence, trade, maritime security, agriculture, tourism, sports, culture and science
- Strategic Partnership
- Full
- Roadmap to 2030
- Four‑year framework for defence, trade, maritime security, etc.
- Target trade value
- NZ$7 billion by 2030
- Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement
- Allows Indian Navy and New Zealand Defence Force to use each other’s facilities
- Defence and maritime security focus
- Dominated the agenda