Video: New Zealand's Luxon greets PM Modi with warm hug on arrival in Auckland
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Auckland on Friday for a state visit to New Zealand, the final leg of his three-nation diplomatic tour, where
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Auckland on Friday for a state visit to New Zealand, the final leg of his three-nation diplomatic tour, where he was warmly received by his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon at the airport. Visuals from the arrival showed Air India One touching down in Auckland before Modi stepped out of the aircraft and descended the stairs to greet Luxon. The two leaders exchanged a handshake before embracing, marking the beginning of the first state visit to New Zealand by an Indian Prime Minister in more than four decades. Read Full Story PM Modi is visiting New Zealand at the invitation of Prime Minister Luxon for a two-day visit aimed at further strengthening bilateral ties. The visit builds on the momentum generated by Luxon's official trip to India in March 2025 and comes months after the signing of the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement.
During his stay, PM Modi and his Kiwi counterpart are scheduled to hold wide-ranging discussions covering the full spectrum of bilateral relations, with a particular focus on expanding economic, trade and commercial cooperation. Ahead of departing for New Zealand, Prime Minister Modi had said the visit would build on the strong momentum in bilateral ties created by Prime Minister Luxon's India visit in March 2025, further strengthening cooperation between the two countries. Apart from the bilateral talks, the Prime Minister will engage with leading business and sports personalities in New Zealand. He is also scheduled to address a large gathering of the Indian community in New Zealand, reflecting the strong people-to-people ties that have long served as a key pillar of the relationship between the two countries.
The Ministry of External Affairs has said the leaders will review the significant progress made in bilateral relations over the past two years, particularly in trade, commerce and defence. BOOST TO INDIA'S MAHASAGAR VISION Before departing for his three-nation tour, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the visits to Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand would further India's Act East Policy, advance the MAHASAGAR Vision and reinforce its commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific. He reached Auckland after completing a three-day visit to Australia, where he held the third Australia-India Annual Leaders' Summit with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The two leaders reaffirmed their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with defence cooperation, particularly in the maritime domain, taking centre stage. India and Australia also sealed a civil nuclear energy agreement.
The BriefWire