‘Historic’ milestone: India-New Zealand announce strategic partnership in Modi's first visit to the nation

India and New Zealand on Saturday (local time) announced a strategic partnership as Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked his first visit to Auckland, a milestone New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon hailed as "historic."

The New Zealand PM said, "It is a pleasure and honour to host you here today. It's a truly historic event, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand in 40 years. This visit is also a significant milestone in the New Zealand-India relationship."

PM Modi, who is visiting New Zealand as the final leg of his three-nation tour, has become the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the country in four decades, ANI reported.

India-New Zealand announce strategic partnership

Signalling a new phase in India-New Zealand relations, the two leaders held delegation-level talks in Auckland, during which the New Zealand Prime Minister announced that the two countries would establish a Strategic Partnership to provide a broader framework for expanding cooperation beyond the recently concluded Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Luxon said, "I think we've made tremendous progress in a very short period of time on the trade agenda. But today's focus is about more than just the FTA. It's about where we go to next in this relationship and how we broaden that out. I know we are very proud to announce that we will be forming a strategic partnership**,** which will give the relationship more framework and breadth for us to continue to expand as we go forward from here."

In a post on X, Luxon wrote, "New Zealand and India bookend the Indo-Pacific, but distance is no barrier to us working together to grow our economies. That's what we're doing through our free trade agreement, which will eliminate tariffs on 57% of everything we sell to India on day one."

He also recalled his visit to India last year and thanked PM Modi for his personal efforts in strengthening ties between the two countries. Luxon said, "When I visited India last year, you welcomed me and my delegation with great warmth and tremendous generosity, and I'm therefore delighted to welcome you here. Thank you for the relationship and thank you for what you've put into it personally."

PM Modi New Zealand visit

PM Modi arrived in Auckland on Friday (local time) and was greeted by Luxon, with whom he shared a warm embrace. Later today, PM Modi is scheduled to interact with prominent business and sports personalities in Auckland. He is also expected to address a large gathering of the Indian diaspora, highlighting the strong people-to-people ties between India and New Zealand.

Earlier on Saturday, Prime Minister Modi received a traditional Māori powhiri ceremonial welcome at the Government House in Auckland. In a post on X, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm ceremonial welcome at the Government House in Auckland. He was honoured with a traditional Māori powhiri, reflecting New Zealand's rich indigenous heritage and cultural values."

PM Modi's first visit to New Zealand comes after the signing of the FTA in April this year and is expected to act as a catalyst for further boosting trade and bilateral ties. The two leaders previously held a bilateral meeting in New Delhi in March last year, when Luxon was in India on an official visit.