Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in New Zealand on 10 July 2026, the final leg of a three‑nation tour that also covered Indonesia and Australia. The visit aims to deepen economic, trade and defence cooperation, build on the Act East Policy, and reinforce India’s vision of a free and open Indo‑Pacific. Modi will meet New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and address the Indian diaspora.
Key Developments
- Bilaterial talks with Luxon to expand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) implementation and explore new trade avenues.
- Public address to the Indian community in Auckland, highlighting people‑to‑people links.
- Discussion on enhancing maritime cooperation, reflecting the broader maritime security agenda.
- Follow‑up on defence collaboration initiated during the Australia‑India summit, especially in the maritime domain.
- Review of progress on civil nuclear energy cooperation and critical mineral supply chains.
Important Facts
• 57 % of New Zealand’s exports to India are already tariff‑free, a figure that will rise under the FTA.
• The FTA was signed after Prime Minister Luxon’s visit to India in March 2025, creating a framework for deeper trade.
• In Indonesia, Modi signed 14 agreements covering critical minerals and maritime security.
• The Australia‑India summit (preceding the NZ leg) concluded a two‑year negotiation on civil nuclear energy, allowing commercial uranium supply from Australia to India.
• The three‑nation tour underscores India’s commitment to a coordinated regional strategy across the Indo‑Pacific.