Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make his first official visit to New Zealand next week, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced on Friday.
Luxon said the leaders would take relations between the two countries to the next level through the New Zealand-India Free Trade Agreement.
“I am pleased to announce that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make his first official visit to New Zealand next week. India is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies, and a country that is critical to New Zealand’s economic prosperity. We are taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level through the New Zealand-India Free Trade Agreement, signed in April, which will provide more jobs, increased exports and stronger economic growth for New Zealand,” he said in a post on X.
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“This will open up new opportunities to grow our exports of goods and services to a market of 1.4 billion people – bringing more money into Kiwi communities, creating jobs and raising wages,” Luxon also said in his post.
Earlier on May 6, New Zealand Trade and Investment Minister Todd McLay said that two-way trade between India and New Zealand is expected to double in a few years as both countries finalize a high-quality free trade agreement (FTA).
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Speaking exclusively to ANI, the Minister noted that the FTA caters to the needs of New Zealand consumers who are looking for quality goods and services, which he said are readily available in the Indian market. The New Zealand Government is committed to encouraging up to US$20 billion of investment in India over the next 15 years.
To facilitate this capital flow, the Indian government has agreed to set up a special “one stop shop” in New Zealand to simplify and expedite investment clearance processes. “The Indian government has agreed to set up a special New Zealand office or one to help clear these investments, so it can happen more quickly. It is easier for New Zealanders to invest,” he said.
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In April 2026, India and New Zealand announced the signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that marks a historic milestone in bilateral economic relations. It is a comprehensive framework that includes market access, agricultural productivity, investment, talent mobility, cooperation in sports, tourism and people-to-people relations. The FTA is designed to benefit manufacturers, farmers, small and medium-sized businesses, women entrepreneurs, students and skilled professionals in both countries.
