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 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, officials announced on Monday.
Luxon, accompanied by a high-level delegation of ministers, senior officials, business representatives, media, and members of the Indian diaspora in New Zealand, will visit New Delhi and Mumbai during his trip. This marks his first visit to India in his current role.
On March 17, Luxon will hold talks with Prime Minister Modi to discuss various aspects of India-New Zealand relations. He will also meet President Droupadi Murmu and attend a lunch hosted by Modi. Later that day, Luxon will participate as the Chief Guest at the inaugural session of the 10th Raisina Dialogue 2025 in New Delhi, delivering the keynote address.
During his visit to Mumbai on March 19-20, Luxon will engage with Indian business leaders and representatives from various sectors. The visit highlights the strong and enduring ties between India and New Zealand, with both countries committed to furthering their bilateral relationship across all areas, including trade, business, and people-to-people connections.
Prime Minister Luxon emphasized the importance of strengthening ties with India, calling it a key priority for his government. He expressed interest in expanding trade and business opportunities, noting India’s position as the world’s fifth-largest economy.
The two countries share deep historical, cultural, and economic connections, with close ties in tourism, sports, and education. New Zealand is home to a large Indian diaspora, with around 300,000 people of Indian origin, and approximately 8,000 Indian students currently studying in New Zealand.
This visit reaffirms the shared values of both nations, including their commitment to democracy, human rights, ecological preservation, and global peace.
