New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon to visit India from March 16
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New Delhi: New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will embark on an official visit to India from March 16 to 20 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Monday.
This marks Luxon’s first visit to India since assuming office, and he will be accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers, senior officials, business leaders, media representatives, and members of the Indian diaspora from New Zealand.
“Prime Minister Rt Hon Luxon’s visit underscores the longstanding and enduring ties between India and New Zealand. It reaffirms the continued commitment of both countries to further strengthen the bilateral relationship across all sectors and deepen our close people-to-people ties,” the MEA stated.
During his visit, Luxon will hold talks with Prime Minister Modi on March 17, covering various aspects of India-New Zealand relations. PM Modi will also host a lunch in his honor, and the visiting leader will meet President Droupadi Murmu the same day.
Luxon will participate as the chief guest at the inaugural session of the 10th Raisina Dialogue 2025 on March 17 in New Delhi, where he will deliver the keynote address. Following his engagements in the capital, he will travel to Mumbai on March 19-20 to interact with Indian business leaders and representatives from diverse fields. He will depart for Wellington from Mumbai on March 20.
Last month, Indian High Commissioner to New Zealand Neeta Bhushan met Luxon to discuss avenues for enhancing cooperation between the two nations, reaffirming New Delhi’s commitment to elevating the partnership.
India and New Zealand share historically close and cordial ties, driven by strategic interests and economic collaboration across trade, education, culture, research, and innovation. Despite geographic distance, strong people-to-people connections, particularly through the large Indian diaspora in New Zealand, form the foundation of their cultural cooperation.
PM Modi and Luxon last met on the sidelines of the ASEAN-India Summit in Vientiane, Laos, in October 2024. Their discussions covered economic cooperation, tourism, education, and innovation. Modi welcomed New Zealand’s decision to join the International Solar Alliance and invited Luxon to visit India.
“Had an excellent meeting with the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mr. Christopher Luxon. We value our friendship with New Zealand, bound together by a commitment to democracy, freedom, and the rule of law,” PM Modi posted on X on October 10, 2024.
The visit is expected to further deepen bilateral relations, reinforcing mutual interests and expanding collaboration across key sectors.
With IANS inputs