Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India and New Zealand will move forward with clear goals and concrete outcomes after holding extensive bilateral talks with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Auckland.
The leaders agreed to elevate bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership, marking a new phase in relations between the two countries.
Sharing details of the meeting, PM Modi described the talks as ‘extensive and fruitful’ and said his visit, the first by an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand in 40 years, had added fresh momentum to the bilateral partnership. He also credited Luxon’s visit to India last year with strengthening cooperation between the two nations.
Held extensive and fruitful talks with PM Luxon in Auckland this morning. His own visit to India last year energised our bilateral partnership and my visit today, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 4 decades, has added further momentum to the India-New Zealand friendship.… pic.twitter.com/W8bpOfAeeE
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 11, 2026
The Prime Minister said both sides discussed expanding collaboration across trade, technology and investment while establishing a stronger framework for cooperation in agriculture, dairy and food processing. He also highlighted growing partnerships in healthcare and traditional medicine, saying these sectors would play an important role in the next phase of bilateral engagement.
PM Modi said the expanding defence and security partnership reflected the deep strategic trust shared by both countries and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in the sector. He added that India and New Zealand would continue building on this foundation to deepen strategic engagement.
PM Modi called people-to-people ties the partnership’s greatest strength and backed wider cooperation in education, sports, culture and technology.
The leaders also exchanged agreements on defence, disaster management, tourism and animal husbandry, giving fresh momentum to economic and strategic ties.
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