Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to undertake his first official visit to New Zealand from July 10–11, 2026, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in nearly 40 years. The visit highlights the growing strategic and economic partnership between India and New Zealand.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced the upcoming visit on Friday, describing it as a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral relations. He noted that the visit reflects the increasing cooperation between the two nations across multiple sectors and opens new opportunities for long-term collaboration.
The leaders are expected to hold high-level discussions covering a wide range of areas, including trade and investment, maritime security, education, digital technology, tourism, sports, and regional and global affairs. The visit is anticipated to further deepen diplomatic engagement and enhance economic cooperation between the two countries.
The announcement follows the successful signing of the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in April 2026. The agreement is designed to significantly boost bilateral trade by eliminating tariffs on approximately 95% of New Zealand’s exported goods, creating new opportunities for businesses, exporters, and investors in both countries.
Economic ties between India and New Zealand have continued to strengthen in recent years. Bilateral merchandise trade reached USD 1.3 billion during the 2024–25 financial year, while the combined trade in goods and services totaled approximately USD 2.4 billion in 2024. The services sector contributed around USD 1.24 billion, driven by travel, information technology, education, and professional business services.
Prime Minister Modi will arrive in Auckland on July 10 and is expected to depart on July 11 after completing official engagements. The visit is expected to reinforce the shared commitment of both countries toward expanding economic growth, innovation, people-to-people connections, and regional stability.
Government officials and business leaders from both nations are expected to closely follow the outcomes of the visit, which is widely viewed as an important step toward strengthening the India–New Zealand strategic partnership.
