New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Saturday (July 11, 2026) praised India’s rapid economic transformation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him “one of the most important leaders of our time,” while asserting that the “21st century will be shaped by India.”

Addressing the Indian diaspora during a community event, Mr. Luxon highlighted India’s achievements over the past decade, including poverty reduction, infrastructure expansion, space exploration (especially mentioning Chandrayaan-3), and its growing role in the global economy.

“In just the last decade, 250 million Indians were lifted out of poverty. The number of airports more than doubled to 157. About 95,000 kilometres of brand new highways have been built... India has landed a spacecraft on the Moon’s South Pole, the first nation on Earth to do that. It hosted the G20, and it will soon be the world’s third-largest economy,” Mr. Luxon said.

ANI

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Saturday (July 11, 2026) hailed Prime Minister Modi’s visit as a “historic milestone”, saying it marked the first time in 40 years that an Indian Prime Minister had set foot on New Zealand soil.

Addressing the Indian community event in Auckland, Mr. Luxon gave PM Modi a warm welcome and said, “Tonight, New Zealand makes history. For the first time in 40 years, an Indian Prime Minister stands on New Zealand soil...Prime Minister Modi, let me say on behalf of 5 million New Zealanders, you are worth the wait.”

ANI

India and New Zealand share many similarities, PM Modi told the diaspora in Auckland, adding that “one of the most important is indigenous heritage”.

“In New Zealand, Indian cities have been honoured in the naming of its streets. From Khandala to Amritsar Street, there are many such examples,” he said.

PTI

At the Indian diaspora event in Auckland, PM Modi highlighted the “vast ocean of opportunities” ahead for the two countries and said: “Waka is not merely a boat. It is a symbol of shared journey. India–New Zealand Waka is ready to embark on a new voyage together.”

Mr. Modi said he is fortunate to bring with him the greetings and best wishes of 140 crore Indian.

PTI

Attending an Indian diaspora event in Auckland, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the ties between the two countries.

“India-New Zealand relationship is built on cherished memories, friendship, shared values and commitment,” he said.

As India and New Zealand elevated their ties to a strategic partnership on Saturday (July 11, 2026), the Congress recalled former Kiwi Prime Minister David Lange, who revised bilateral ties between the two countries in 1984.

“The Prime Minister’s visit to New Zealand brings back memories of a remarkable man who was key to transforming India-New Zealand relations,” Congress general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, said.

David Lange was New Zealand’s Prime Minister from 1984-1989, and his first overseas visit was to India in October 1984.

Mr. Ramesh said Lange struck an instant rapport with then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and developed a warm and close personal relationship with Rajiv Gandhi.

PTI

Addressing MEA briefing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to New Zealand, MEA Secretary (East) Rudrendra Tandon said, “Later, there was an interaction with members of the Indian and New Zealand business communities, followed by an elaborate gala lunch attended by many prominent personalities from Auckland. So far, it has been a very action-packed programme...”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made several suggestions to strengthen trade and economic ties with New Zealand during his interaction with the business community in Auckland, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Saturday (July 11, 2026), highlighting economic engagement as a key focus of the Prime Minister’s visit.

Addressing a special media briefing on PM Modi’s official visit to New Zealand, Secretary (East) in the MEA, Rudrendra Tandon, said trade and economic cooperation featured prominently in the discussions between the two countries.

“But of course, it’s also going to be intensive discussions on how to take the trade and economic relationship forward. The Prime Minister had an extensive interaction with the business community today, and in fact made several suggestions as to how to take the trade and economic relationship forward,” Mr. Tandon said.

ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (July 11, 2026) toured an exhibition showcasing New Zealand’s innovative sports equipment and technologies, demonstrated by some of the country’s leading athletes and sporting icons.

Mr. Modi is in New Zealand on the final leg of his three-nation visit. This is the first visit to New Zealand by an Indian prime minister in 40 years.

He was joined by his Kiwi counterpart Christopher Luxon at the sports equipment showcase.

The India-New Zealand pact covers tighter defence cooperation, including with naval exercises, as well as stronger ties in trade, diplomacy, culture, sport and science, the two countries said in a joint statement.

Their nations have a shared interest in a “free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific”, they said.

The two countries “quickly canvassed” the Chinese missile test, PM Luxon told reporters in a briefing after the talks.

He skirted a question about whether closer New Zealand-India ties would curb Beijing’s ambitions in the region.

AFP

As part of the list of outcomes, both nations have agreed to establish an annual Maritime Security Dialogue led by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) of New Zealand.

The two countries also agreed to “establish an annual Maritime Security Dialogue” and “operationalise the Memorandum of Arrangement establishing a Joint Working Group (JWG) on Counter-Terrorism,” while enhancing cooperation through the India-New Zealand Cyber Dialogue.

The Joint Statement further 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 exchange.”

PMO

Following the formal elevation of bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership, India and New Zealand on Saturday (July 11, 2026) unveiled the comprehensive “India-New Zealand Strategic Partnership: Roadmap to 2030,” establishing a robust blueprint to significantly deepen defence and security cooperation over the next four years.

The landmark roadmap, endorsed during the high-level meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon in Auckland, places a heavy emphasis on maritime security, counter-terrorism, and cyber defence under its critical Pillar II framework.

The two countries also agreed to “continue to pursue military interaction via exercises, visits of units (maritime, air, land), short-term personnel exchanges, sporting visits, defence staff college exchanges, and high-level defence dialogues” and “continue to enhance dialogue on defence-related matters, including at the Ministerial level.”

ANI

Announcing a major leap in security cooperation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today 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.

Addressing a Gala Lunch hosted in his honour by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Auckland, Mr. Modi highlighted that the two nations stand as reliable partners capable of navigating contemporary global challenges together.

“Friends, on the global stage as well, India and New Zealand are reliable partners and close friends. We believe that to face the challenges of the current times, reform is necessary in global institutions, including the UN. To move forward shoulder to shoulder on the issue of terrorism, we have formed a Joint Working Group today. Cooperation between India and New Zealand is extremely important for peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific,” Mr. Modi said.

- ANI

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today said 250 million people have been lifted out of poverty in India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the country’s middle class now at 440 million and projected to reach 750 million by the end of the decade.Speaking at one business and sports engagement event in Auckland, Mr. Luxon called the numbers “an incredible transformation” and linked it directly to the last decade of growth in India.“And it’s interesting to me that under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, he has lifted 250 million people out of poverty. There is now 440 million people in the middle class, about to be 750 million by the end of the decade, and it is an incredible transformation,” he said.

- ANI

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon highlighted cricket’s enduring role in strengthening ties between India and New Zealand, while underlining the significance of the newly agreed Sports Joint Action Plan between the two countries.Speaking at the ‘Gala Lunch’ event hosted by the Kiwi Prime Minister in honour of his Indian counterpart, PM Modi, in Auckland, PM Luxon reflected on his experience of playing gully cricket with children from the STAIRS Foundation during his official visit to India in March last year.

- ANI

PM Modi has asked if it would be possible for a delegation of businessmen under the age of 35 from both countries to visit each other. He added that such a move would help prepare the younger generation.

- The Hindu Bureau

PM Modi has invited business leaders from New Zealand to invest in the Production Linked Incentive schemes of the Union government through which, approximately $20 billion in support is being provided across 14 sectors, from food processing to textiles. 

- The Hindu Bureau

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today that bilateral trade between India and New Zealand has grown by more than 50% 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.Addressing the Gala Lunch hosted in his honour by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Auckland, Mr. Modi also welcomed New Zealand’s $20 billion investment commitment in India, saying it would create new opportunities for New Zealand companies to become long-term partners in India’s growth story.

- ANI

Narendra Modi’s visit to New Zealand marks the first visit of an Indian PM to New Zealand in 40 years.

- PMO

The landmark India-New Zealand free trade agreement would add depth and dynamism to the bilateral economic ties and open new opportunities for market access, investment and talent mobility, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today.

In an interaction with a select group of CEOs and business leaders, PM Modi emphasised that the two nations’ shared democratic values, diversity, and commitment to sustainable development provide a robust foundation for an ambitious, forward-looking economic partnership.

- PTI

Lauding the cultural synergy between India and the indigenous community of New Zealand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that the shared values of respect for nature, community, and sustainability between India and the Maori people can pave the way for a unique model of inclusive global trade.Delivering his address at the Business and Sports Engagement event in Auckland, PM Modi expressed special gratitude to Maori business leaders and highlighted that special provisions have been carved out for them in the newly concluded Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

- ANI

Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Christopher Luxon call for a ‘bold and effective’ UN reform.

They also affirm support for the expansion of the UN Security Council.

- PTI

PM Narendra Modi and Kiwi counterpart Christopher Luxon express concern over renewed escalation of tensions in West Asia.

Mr. Modi and Mr. Luxon urge all parties in West Asia to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, and ensure protection of civilians: joint statement.

- PTI