World

Indian PM Modi to make first official visit to NZ

By AAP Newswire

Jul 3, 2026

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make his first official visit to New ‌Zealand next ‌week.

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Modi will arrive in Auckland on July 10, departing a day later, the NZ government confirmed.

The ⁠two nations signed a free trade agreement in April that will eliminate 95 per cent of tariffs on ⁠goods ‌from New Zealand, while making all Indian exports to NZ duty-free.

"Prime Minister Modi's visit is historic, ‌with this being the first to New Zealand by an Indian Prime Minister in 40 years," NZ Prime Minister Chris Luxon said ‌in a statement.

"This visit is about celebrating a winning partnership between New Zealand and India - one that delivers for our people and supports greater prosperity and security for both our countries.

"We are taking the two countries' relationship to the next level with our New Zealand-India Free Trade Agreement, signed in April, which will deliver more jobs, higher exports and stronger economic growth for New Zealand."

Wellington has also committed to invest $US20 billion ($A28 billion) in India over the next 15 years.

India is New Zealand's 12th-largest export market, with bilateral trade valued at $US2.15 billion in the year through June 2025, according to official data.

with AAP