Giving a new height to their relations, India and New Zealand have officially given the status of ‘Strategic Partnership’ to the bilateral relations. Both countries have also approved ‘India-New Zealand Strategic Partnership: Roadmap 2030’. Under this, cooperation will be increased in many areas like trade, agriculture, security, innovation and people-to-people contacts in the next four years. This big decision was taken during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to New Zealand. The special thing is that this is the first official visit of an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand after 40 years.

India-New Zealand relations get status of strategic partnership

According to a joint statement issued by India and New Zealand, both the Prime Ministers agreed to elevate bilateral relations to ‘Strategic Partnership’. Along with this, ‘India-New Zealand Strategic Partnership: Roadmap 2030’ was approved, which will become the basis of joint cooperation between the two countries in the next four years. Both leaders said that the objective of this partnership is to further strengthen existing cooperation, work together in new areas and increase cooperation in bilateral as well as multilateral fora.

Indian Prime Minister’s visit to New Zealand after 40 years

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on an official visit to New Zealand on July 10 and 11 at the invitation of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. This is the first official visit of an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand in the last 40 years, which is being considered historic in the relations between the two countries.

Target to double trade by 2030

Under ‘Roadmap 2030’, India and New Zealand have set a target of increasing bilateral trade in goods and services between the two countries to 7 billion New Zealand dollars (about Rs 35 thousand crore) by the year 2030. For this, both the countries will work together on reducing trade barriers, increasing investment and strengthening economic cooperation.

Agreed on implementing free trade agreement soon

Both Prime Ministers welcomed the signing of the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and agreed to implement it soon. The joint statement said that this agreement will reduce trade barriers, strengthen economic partnership and will play an important role in increasing investment from New Zealand to India.

New Zealand will cooperate in ‘Developed India 2047’

New Zealand said that it will cooperate in achieving India’s ‘Developed India 2047’ goal. Under this, both the countries will work together in trade, agriculture, skill development, innovation, clean energy, sports and other areas.

Custom and trade process will be easier

Both countries also agreed to implement the Authorized Economic Operators Mutual Recognition Arrangement (AEO-MRA) by 2025 to simplify customs procedures. It will work under the Customs Cooperation Arrangement of 2024 and promote reliable trade.

Direct flights and tourism will get a boost

India and New Zealand also signed a Memorandum of Arrangement regarding tourism cooperation. Both the leaders urged airlines to take steps towards starting direct non-stop flights between India and New Zealand. Both the countries agreed to increase cooperation in areas like horticulture, forestry, animal husbandry and dairy. Under this, New Zealand will work on productivity schemes to increase the production of kiwi, apple and honey in India. Apart from this, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoC) was also agreed to establish Kiwi Center of Excellence in India and cooperation in animal husbandry and dairy sector.

Cooperation will be strengthened in maritime sector also

The two leaders also agreed to continue dialogue between India’s Directorate General of Shipping and Maritime New Zealand to strengthen mutual recognition of seafarers’ skill certificates. Both countries believe that this will ease the movement of sailors and will give new strength to cooperation in the maritime sector.

There is tremendous enthusiasm for the visit of an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand after more than 40 years. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon himself warmly welcomed PM Narendra Modi upon his arrival in Auckland and also shared its video on social media. On the same post, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung expressed his best wishes for the friendship between India and New Zealand, to which PM Modi also replied that such thoughtful messages from friends are always special.

Lee Jae-myung’s message on Luxon’s post

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon shared a video of welcoming PM Modi on X. In the video, both the leaders are seen shaking hands and embracing warmly at the airport. Along with the post, Luxon wrote, ‘Welcome to New Zealand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi.’

Responding to this post, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung wrote, ‘Best wishes for the friendship and progress of India and New Zealand.’ In his message he wished for further strengthening of relations between the two countries.

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PM Modi replied

PM Modi also immediately reacted to President Lee Jae-myung’s message. He wrote, ‘President Lee Jae-myung, thank you for your good wishes. Such thoughtful messages from friends are always memorable.

Indian PM visits New Zealand after more than 40 years

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached New Zealand on Friday on a two-day state visit. This is the first visit to New Zealand by an Indian Prime Minister in more than 40 years. This visit is taking place at the invitation of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and its purpose is to further strengthen the relations between the two countries.

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There will be discussion on many important issues

During this visit, PM Modi and Christopher Luxon will discuss trade, investment, defence, economic cooperation and other important issues. Both the leaders will also discuss in which new areas India and New Zealand can work together.

PM Modi will also meet the Indian community

During his visit to New Zealand, Prime Minister Modi will meet people from business and sports world. Apart from this, he will also address the Indian community living there.

Last stop of three country tour

New Zealand is the last stop of Prime Minister Modi’s three-nation tour. Before this he had visited Indonesia and Australia. PM Modi says that this visit will further strengthen India’s Act East policy, MAHASAGAR vision and India’s commitment towards a free and open Indo-Pacific. The New Zealand visit is expected to give new momentum to the relations between the two countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the gathering at the gala lunch organized during his visit to New Zealand. Starting his speech, he thanked New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon for his warm welcome and wonderful hospitality. He said that Prime Minister Luxon has given so much affection and affection that even the cold of Auckland is being felt less. The love and respect I received from the people of New Zealand during this trip will always be remembered.

Prime Minister Modi said that after Prime Minister Laxman’s visit to India last year, there has been new energy in the relations between the two countries. Due to his leadership, clear thinking and strong commitment, the friendship between India and New Zealand has got new momentum and new direction. He said that after almost 40 years, an Indian Prime Minister is visiting New Zealand and this is the beginning of a new chapter in the relations between the two countries.

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India-New Zealand believe in democratic values- Modi

He said that both India and New Zealand believe in democratic values ​​and this brings the two countries closer to each other. In the last few years, relations between the two countries have strengthened rapidly. In today’s meeting, both the countries discussed in detail how to deepen and broaden cooperation. Prime Minister Modi said that India and New Zealand have taken a historic decision to take their relations to the level of strategic partnership. Under this, both the countries will move forward in every field with clear goals and concrete results.

What did Modi say on free trade agreement?

Prime Minister Modi said that this year both the countries have signed a free trade agreement in record time. This will open new opportunities for industries, farmers and youth of both the countries. He said that India and New Zealand are working together not only in trade but also in the fields of trust, technology and talent. Trade between the two countries has increased by more than 50 percent in the last three years and it is expected that the Free Trade Agreement will form a strong basis for doubling trade in the next five years. He also welcomed New Zealand’s commitment to invest $20 billion in India. Prime Minister Modi said that this will give New Zealand companies an opportunity to become long-term partners in India’s development journey.

PM Modi about agriculture, dairy and food processing

Prime Minister Modi said that both the countries are converting their strengths into practical cooperation. In the field of Fintech, work is being done to connect India’s UPI and New Zealand’s payment system. This will benefit the people and businesses of both the countries. He said that both the countries have also prepared a strong plan for cooperation in the fields of agriculture, dairy and food processing. Farmers and cattle herders will get direct benefits from this. Referring to the medical field, Prime Minister Modi said that both India and New Zealand have rich traditions in this field. Both countries have agreed to increase the role of traditional medicine in health cooperation.

PM Modi on defense and security cooperation

Talking about defense and security cooperation, Prime Minister Modi said that the growing cooperation between the two countries is a symbol of their strong strategic trust. The defense cooperation agreement signed last year has given a strong foundation to the relations between the two countries. Today both the countries have agreed on a new framework for maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. Bilateral naval exercises, logistics cooperation and cooperation in the field of hydrography will further strengthen the coordination between the two countries.

PM Modi’s opinion about Indian community

Prime Minister Modi said that the biggest strength of the relations between the two countries is the people-to-people ties. The Indian community has created a special identity in New Zealand with its hard work and talent. He expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Luxon, the New Zealand government and the people there for the care and support of the Indian community. He said that the cultural cooperation agreement signed today will give a new impetus to the exchange between the two countries in the field of art, culture, heritage and creative industries. He said that New Zealand has been an important education hub for Indian students and India invites New Zealand universities to open their campuses in India.

Mention of sports relations between India and New Zealand

Prime Minister Modi said that this year the 100th anniversary of sports relations between India and New Zealand is being celebrated. Hundred years ago, the Indian hockey team under the leadership of Major Dhyan Chand created history by touring New Zealand. This still inspires the sports relations between the two countries. On this occasion, many sports competitions are being organized in both the countries. Apart from cricket, Sports Joint Action Plan has been prepared to increase cooperation in other sports also. Recently, it has made a good start through the coaching program of New Zealand Rugby and Rugby India in Bhubaneswar.

PM’s views against terrorism

Talking on global issues, Prime Minister Modi said that India and New Zealand are trusted partners and close friends on the world stage. Both countries believe that there is a need for reform in many global institutions including the United Nations so that the challenges of the present time can be faced in a better way. To strengthen cooperation against terrorism, both the countries have decided to form a joint working group. Prime Minister Modi said that cooperation between India and New Zealand is very important for peace, stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region.

PM Modi wishes Maori New Year Matariki

At the end of his address, Prime Minister Modi wished the people of New Zealand a happy Maori New Year Matariki. He said that the constellation which is called Matariki in New Zealand has been known as Krittika Nakshatra in India since ancient times. He expressed confidence that this festival of Matariki will make the relations between the two countries shine like stars. After Prime Minister Modi’s speech, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon thanked him. He said that he is grateful for Prime Minister Modi’s friendship, commitment and cooperation. He said that just as teamwork and trust are essential in rugby, India and New Zealand will also move forward with mutual trust. He said that both the countries are part of the same team and hence they will face challenges together.

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New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Saturday (27 December) welcomed the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India, whereas just a few days ago his country’s Foreign Minister had expressed strong objection to it. Luxon described the agreement as a historic achievement for his government and an important step towards future development.

Lakson said, “We had promised to have a free trade agreement with India in our first term and we have fulfilled it.” Emphasizing its economic importance, he said that this agreement will provide more employment, higher income and more export opportunities for 14 lakh Indian consumers.

What did New Zealand’s Foreign Minister say
He said that this agreement is part of the broader agenda of his government. The recent deal exposed divisions within New Zealand’s ruling coalition, as Foreign Minister Winston Peters criticized the deal as neither free nor fair. Peters, leader of the New Zealand First (NZF) party, further said that he had conveyed his party’s concerns to Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and also said that despite his opposition to the deal, he had the utmost respect for him.

benefit to both countries
The free trade agreement was announced earlier this week after talks between PM Modi and Luxon. Both the leaders said that with this agreement, bilateral trade can double in the next 5 years and there can be investment of 20 billion dollars in India in the next 15 years. Negotiations for this agreement started in March. At the time of the announcement, Modi and Luxon said that the agreement reflects the shared ambition and political will to further deepen relations between the two countries.

New Zealand First Party leader expressed protest
Regarding this agreement, New Zealand First Party leader Peters wrote on Twitter, “New Zealand First had appealed to its coalition partner not to hastily finalize a low-quality agreement with India.” He alleged that speed was given priority instead of quality. Peters said that the National Party considered it better to make a poor agreement rather than work hard to achieve a fair agreement that would be beneficial to both New Zealand and the Indians.

The main point of contention for Peters is the treatment of the dairy industry. He said that New Zealand has completely opened its market to India, but in return the tariff on Indian imports of major dairy products has not been reduced.

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