New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon concluded a five-day official visit to India from March 16 to 20, 2025, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties across various sectors. Accompanied by a high-level delegation, including ministers, senior officials, business leaders, and members of the Indian diaspora, this visit marked the first by a New Zealand Prime Minister to India since 2016.
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Bilateral Meetings: PM Luxon held discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, focusing on enhancing defense and economic cooperation. Both leaders agreed to launch negotiations for a Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA), aiming to significantly boost bilateral trade in the coming years.
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Defense Cooperation: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defense Cooperation was signed, emphasizing joint military training and enhanced maritime safety, reflecting a mutual commitment to regional security.
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Cultural Engagement: PM Luxon visited the Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple in New Delhi, experiencing India’s rich cultural heritage. He expressed admiration for the Hindu community’s contributions to New Zealand, highlighting the importance of cultural exchange in strengthening bilateral relations.
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Maharashtra Visit: In Mumbai, PM Luxon met with Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Discussions centered on potential collaborations in renewable energy, education, sports, agriculture technology, dairy development, and emerging sectors like Artificial Intelligence.
The visit underscored New Zealand’s recognition of India’s growing global significance and the intent to deepen multifaceted ties. Both nations expressed optimism about the future trajectory of their relationship, with the FTA negotiations and defense agreements marking significant milestones in bilateral cooperation.
Photo Credit -Sipra Das /-New Delhi -18 March 2025
