New Delhi: New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has embarked on his first official visit to India since assuming office, marking a significant milestone in the diplomatic relations between the two countries. The five-day tour, from March 16 to March 20, 2025, is expected to deepen cooperation across key sectors including trade, defence, technology, education, and people-to-people ties.
Invited by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this historic visit signifies New Zealand’s growing interest in enhancing strategic and economic engagement with India — the world’s fifth-largest economy and a key Indo-Pacific partner.
High-Level Delegation Accompanies PM Luxon to India
Reflecting the importance of this visit, Prime Minister Luxon is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers, senior government officials, top business leaders, media representatives, and members of the Indian diaspora from New Zealand.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the visit underscores the shared commitment of both nations to bolster bilateral ties, enhance economic cooperation, and strengthen cultural and educational exchanges.
“This visit reaffirms the enduring relationship between India and New Zealand and reflects the growing strategic convergence between our two nations,” the MEA noted.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations and Expanding Trade Ties
India and New Zealand currently enjoy robust trade relations, with bilateral trade standing at USD 1.75 billion in 2023-24. Both leaders are keen to explore new avenues for growth, with a strong focus on trade, investment, and emerging technologies.
During his meeting with Prime Minister Modi, Luxon emphasized the need to build a future-ready partnership. Both sides agreed to launch negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), aimed at creating a mutually beneficial trade environment and facilitating market access for businesses in both countries.
Luxon highlighted India’s global economic influence, stating, “India is the fifth-largest economy in the world, and I am focused on increasing trade and business opportunities between our two countries. Promoting New Zealand as an investment destination is key to creating more jobs and higher incomes for all New Zealanders.”
The leaders also prioritized early cooperation in the digital payments sector, leveraging India’s global leadership in fintech and digital transaction frameworks. The initiative aims to enable smoother business exchanges and digital connectivity between the two countries.
Focus on Mobility for Professionals and Skilled Workers
Acknowledging the need to facilitate greater workforce movement, both nations agreed to initiate negotiations on Mobility Arrangements for Professionals and Skilled Workers. The goal is to encourage engagement in sectors such as innovation, emerging technologies, and research, opening up new employment and investment opportunities.
These mobility agreements are expected to strengthen the people-to-people linkages that have been the backbone of India-New Zealand relations, with a large Indian community actively contributing to New Zealand’s socio-economic landscape.
Signing of MoUs: Boost to Defence, Education, Horticulture, and More
In a major diplomatic achievement, India and New Zealand signed several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements during the visit. These include:
- Defence Cooperation: Aimed at enhancing joint exercises, knowledge sharing, and capacity building.
- Authorized Economic Operator – Mutual Recognition Agreement (AEO-MRA): Facilitating smoother and more secure trade operations.
- Forestry and Horticulture Collaboration: Enhancing cooperation in agriculture, food processing, and sustainable forestry practices.
- Education and Sports Exchange: Encouraging academic partnerships, student exchanges, and sports collaborations.
These agreements highlight the growing multifaceted nature of India-New Zealand relations and the willingness to collaborate across diverse sectors.
New Zealand Joins Key Indian-Led Global Initiatives
In a major diplomatic development, New Zealand formally joined two major initiatives spearheaded by India:
Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative (IPOI)
New Zealand became a member of the Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative (IPOI), launched by India at the 14th East Asia Summit in 2019. IPOI aims to strengthen regional maritime cooperation, focusing on maritime safety, security, resource sharing, and sustainable development.
This move signifies New Zealand’s alignment with India’s vision for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)
New Zealand also became a member of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), an Indian initiative introduced during the United Nations Climate Action Summit in 2019. CDRI’s mission is to promote the resilience of infrastructure systems against climate-induced disasters and other risks.
By joining these initiatives, New Zealand reinforced its commitment to global climate action, disaster resilience, and maritime security.
Participation in the 10th Raisina Dialogue: Global Security in Focus
Prime Minister Luxon was also the Chief Guest at the 10th Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, where he delivered the Keynote Address. The Raisina Dialogue is India’s flagship geopolitical conference that attracts global leaders, policymakers, and strategic thinkers.
During his speech, Luxon discussed critical global issues such as:
- The importance of the Indo-Pacific region for global peace and economic prosperity
- Strengthening multilateralism and regional cooperation
- Addressing climate change and disaster risks
- Enhancing maritime security and freedom of navigation
Luxon’s participation highlighted New Zealand’s evolving role in the Indo-Pacific and its strategic convergence with India on major global challenges.
Health Sector Collaboration and Future Prospects
Further expanding the scope of cooperation, Prime Minister Luxon engaged with India’s Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda. Discussions centered on collaborations in healthcare services, biotechnology, pandemic preparedness, and public health infrastructure.
Both sides agreed on the importance of joint efforts in global health security, particularly in light of lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. This health partnership is expected to open avenues for joint research, technology exchange, and capacity building in healthcare delivery.
Mumbai Visit: Boosting Economic and Business Ties
Prime Minister Luxon also visited Mumbai, India’s financial capital, where he met leading Indian business leaders and investors. The meetings aimed at promoting New Zealand as a viable investment destination, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, technology, sports, and tourism.
Luxon held detailed discussions with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan, exploring state-level partnerships, business collaborations, and trade prospects.
The Mumbai leg of the visit reinforced the business-to-business links that are crucial for expanding economic cooperation between India and New Zealand.
Scientific Development: Meteorite Discovery in Maharashtra
Coinciding with the visit, a significant scientific event took place as scientists confirmed a meteorite fall in Beed district, Maharashtra. The meteorite’s discovery offers new research possibilities in understanding the solar system’s origin, planetary evolution, and geological composition.
This event also served as a reminder of the potential for enhanced space and scientific collaboration between India and New Zealand in the coming years.
Conclusion: A Landmark Visit Redefining India-New Zealand Relations
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s maiden visit to India marks a pivotal moment in India-New Zealand diplomatic history, setting the stage for a stronger and more diverse partnership. The visit not only reaffirmed the enduring ties between the two nations but also expanded the scope of cooperation into critical areas such as:
- Trade and Investment
- Defence and Strategic Partnerships
- Climate Action and Disaster Resilience
- Education, Sports, and Cultural Exchanges
- Healthcare and Technology
- Mobility of Skilled Professionals
With renewed focus and multiple agreements signed, the visit is expected to usher in a new era of collaboration, contributing to regional peace, prosperity, and global sustainability efforts.
As Luxon concludes his five-day tour and returns to Wellington, experts predict that India-New Zealand relations will continue to flourish, driven by shared democratic values, economic ambitions, and a common vision for a stable and secure Indo-Pacific region.
FAQs
1. What is the purpose of New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s visit to India in 2025?
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s five-day visit to India aims to strengthen bilateral ties between India and New Zealand. The visit focuses on enhancing cooperation in trade, defence, digital payments, skilled worker mobility, climate action, education, and joining global initiatives like the Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative (IPOI) and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
2. What major agreements were signed between India and New Zealand during PM Luxon’s visit?
India and New Zealand signed multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) covering defence cooperation, Authorized Economic Operator Mutual Recognition Agreement (AEO-MRA), collaboration in forestry, horticulture, education, and sports. Both countries also agreed to initiate negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and skilled worker mobility arrangements.
3. What is the Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative (IPOI) and did New Zealand join it during the visit?
Yes, New Zealand officially joined the Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative (IPOI) during the visit. IPOI, launched by India in 2019, focuses on regional maritime cooperation, safety, security, and sustainable use of marine resources in the Indo-Pacific region.
4. How will the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) benefit both countries?
The proposed India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is expected to boost bilateral trade by reducing tariffs, improving market access, and encouraging business collaborations. It will create new opportunities in sectors like agriculture, technology, education, and renewable energy, benefiting industries and workers in both nations.
5. What role did PM Luxon play at the Raisina Dialogue 2025 during his India visit?
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was the Chief Guest at the 10th Raisina Dialogue 2025 in New Delhi, where he delivered the Keynote Address. He highlighted regional security, Indo-Pacific cooperation, climate resilience, and the importance of India-New Zealand strategic relations in addressing global challenges.
