New Delhi: New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is set to arrive in India on Sunday for his first official visit since taking office. The five-day trip, which will run until March 20, has been organized at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit aims to strengthen the longstanding ties between India and New Zealand and to reinforce their shared commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation across various sectors.
Luxon will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including senior officials, ministers, business leaders, media representatives, and members of the Indian diaspora in New Zealand. His itinerary includes several key diplomatic engagements to further deepen the relationship between the two nations.
Upon arrival, Luxon will meet with India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar. On March 17, he will visit Rajghat to pay respects at Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial and then meet with Prime Minister Modi. Their discussions will cover a range of topics, including trade, defence cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges. PM Modi will also host a lunch in honor of the New Zealand Prime Minister.
Luxon will participate as the Chief Guest at the 10th Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi on March 17, where he will deliver the Keynote Address. The event offers an important platform for him to engage in discussions on regional and global security issues, while also strengthening ties between India and the Indo-Pacific region.
On March 19-20, Luxon will visit Mumbai to meet with Indian business leaders and representatives from various sectors to promote further economic collaboration. The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted that the visit underscores the enduring and multifaceted relationship between India and New Zealand, reaffirming both countries’ commitment to enhancing cooperation in areas such as trade, technology, and cultural exchanges.
The MEA also emphasized that the visit highlights the enduring and strengthening ties between the two nations and their dedication to expanding bilateral relations across all sectors.