Modi to visit New Zealand next week as FTA drives ties higher

Wellington,UPDATED: Jul 3, 2026 11:20 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make his first official visit to New Zealand next week, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced on Friday. He did not disclose the exact date of the visit.

Announcing the visit on social media, Luxon said, "I'm delighted to announce Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi will make his first official visit to New Zealand next week." He described India as one of the world's largest and fastest-growing economies and said it was of enormous importance to New Zealand's economic prosperity.

Luxon said the two countries were taking their relationship to the next level through the New Zealand-India Free Trade Agreement, signed in April. "We are taking the two countries' relationship to the next level with our New Zealand-India Free Trade Agreement, signed in April, which will deliver more jobs, higher exports and stronger economic growth for New Zealand," he said.

He added that the agreement would unlock new opportunities by opening a market of 1.4 billion people for New Zealand goods and services, "bringing more money into Kiwi communities, creating jobs and lifting wages." India and New Zealand signed the free trade agreement earlier this year to boost two-way trade in goods and services and promote investment.

The FTA provides duty-free access for 100 per cent of India's exports to New Zealand. For India, the agreement strengthens access to a high-income, rules-based Pacific market and supports its broader Indo-Pacific economic strategy. For New Zealand, it offers more secure access to one of the world's fastest-growing large economies at a time of rising global trade uncertainty.

Bilateral merchandise trade between the two countries stood at USD 1.3 billion in 2024-25, while total trade in goods and services reached about USD 2.4 billion in 2024. Services trade alone touched USD 1.24 billion, led by travel, IT and business services. Modi's visit next week comes as both countries look to deepen this growing economic relationship.

With PTI Inputs

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