New Delhi: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced that his country is strengthening its ties with India, praising the Indian government as “incredibly generous and very welcoming.” During his visit, which features the largest delegation ever to accompany a New Zealand Prime Minister, Luxon emphasized the importance of this relationship in bolstering each nation’s economy and trade opportunities.
In a video shared on X, Luxon remarked, “The Indian government has been incredibly generous and welcoming to New Zealand, which reflects their desire to deepen our relationship.” He highlighted the significance of the delegation, which includes business and community leaders, as a means to enhance trade and economic growth for both nations.
The Indian community is the third-largest ethnic group in New Zealand, India is our largest source of skilled migrants, and our second largest source of international students.
In short, Indian-Kiwis make a massive contribution to New Zealand and I’m proud of what this… pic.twitter.com/Dnwf8gNUMw
— Christopher Luxon (@chrisluxonmp) March 17, 2025
Luxon also recognized the vital contributions of the Indian community in New Zealand, noting that they are the third-largest ethnic group in the country, the largest source of skilled migrants, and the second-largest group of international students. He expressed pride in what Indian-Kiwis bring to New Zealand.
During his five-day visit, Luxon is set to participate as the chief guest at the 10th Raisina Dialogue and deliver a keynote address. Upon his arrival in Delhi, he announced that New Zealand and India will commence negotiations for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar welcomed Luxon’s commitment to strengthening the longstanding relations between the two countries. Luxon reiterated that both nations aim for a “stable, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” a topic discussed in their initial meeting.
Later today, Luxon is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Hyderabad House in Delhi, where they will exchange MoUs. He will also meet President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, as noted by the Ministry of External Affairs.
The relationship between India and New Zealand dates back to the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1952, with both countries sharing Commonwealth membership, common law traditions, and a commitment to economic development through democratic governance.