Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to make his inaugural official trip to New Zealand the following week. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced the visit on Friday. In a social media post, Luxon expressed delight at welcoming Modi and noted India as one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies. He stressed India’s major importance to New Zealand’s economic prosperity.
The two countries are advancing relations through the New Zealand-India Free Trade Agreement signed in April. The deal is expected to increase exports, create jobs and support economic growth. It will open a market of 1.4 billion people for New Zealand goods and services, benefiting local communities and helping raise wages.
The agreement grants duty-free access for all Indian exports to New Zealand while improving India’s access to a high-income Pacific market. New Zealand also gains easier entry into one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies.
Bilateral merchandise trade stood at 1.3 billion US dollars in 2024-25, with total goods and services trade reaching about 2.4 billion US dollars. Services trade alone was valued at 1.24 billion US dollars, mainly from travel, IT and business services.
