PM Modi to make first official visit to New Zealand next week
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make his first official visit to New Zealand next week, according to his Kiwi counterpart, Christopher Luxon. "Prime Minister Modi's
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make his first official visit to New Zealand next week, according to his Kiwi counterpart, Christopher Luxon. "Prime Minister Modi's visit is historic, with this being the first to New Zealand by an Indian Prime Minister in 40 years," he said in a statement, cited by news agency Reuters, on Friday. PM Modi will arrive in Auckland on July 10, departing a day later. The visit is scheduled to take place more than two months after India and New Zealand signed a free trade agreement (FTA).
Read Full Story Talks for the pact began in March 2025 and were wrapped up within nine months, making it one of the quickest trade deals India has closed. One of the biggest gains for India is complete duty-free access for all its 8,284 export products in the New Zealand market from day one of the FTA's implementation. As part of the deal, India will also be able to secure duty-free inputs for its manufacturing sector, including wooden logs, coking coal, and waste and scraps of metals, which is expected to lower production costs and enhance the competitiveness of Indian industry.
The agreement also includes cooperation in agriculture, including a special agrotechnology plan to support Indian farmers with inputs in kiwi, apple and honey production. The FTA will also eliminate 95% of tariffs on goods from New Zealand, whose exporters are set to benefit from trade of items such as wool, wine, wood, coal and fruits like avocados and blueberries. At the same time, India has kept nearly 30% of its tariff lines outside the scope of the FTA in order to protect sensitive sectors, including dairy products, edible oils, and gems and jewellery.
Ends (With inputs from agencies)
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