Key Highlights
- Prime Minister Luxon arrived in New Delhi with full ceremonial honours and paid homage at Mahatma Gandhi's memorial.
- The two leaders exchanged views on democratic values, deepening collaboration in trade, security, education and digital innovation.
- Luxon chaired the 10th Raisina Dialogue, delivering the opening keynote and stressing multilateralism in the Indo‑Pacific.
- Negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement were launched, alongside a mutual recognition pact for Authorized Economic Operators.
- Defense, climate action, disaster resilience and cultural exchange programmes were expanded through fresh MoUs.
Detailed Insights
The visit, spanning March 16‑20 2025, marked Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's inaugural official trip to India as New Zealand’s head of government. After a traditional welcome, he laid a wreath at Raj Ghat, signalling respect for India’s heritage. Bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed a shared commitment to democratic governance and outlined concrete steps to boost commerce, investment, and technology transfer.
At the Raisina Dialogue, Luxon’s inaugural address highlighted the necessity of a rules‑based Indo‑Pacific, urging greater cooperation on maritime security and climate mitigation. The two governments announced the commencement of Free Trade Agreement negotiations, supplemented by a Digital Payments Cooperation framework and the signing of an Authorized Economic Operators Mutual Recognition Arrangement to streamline customs procedures.
Defense cooperation received a significant boost with a new MoU covering joint exercises, officer exchanges and New Zealand’s integration into India’s Combined Maritime Forces. Both parties also pledged regular maritime safety dialogues and discussed participation in India’s Indo‑Pacific Oceans Initiative.
Science and technology collaboration will focus on low‑carbon solutions, with New Zealand joining the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster‑Resilient Infrastructure. A Memorandum of Cooperation on earthquake mitigation was also progressed.
Educational linkages were reinforced through a refreshed Education Cooperation Arrangement, facilitating greater mobility for Indian students and skilled professionals. A sports MoU celebrated a century of bilateral sporting ties, while cultural exchanges emphasised yoga, traditional medicine, music and dance.
On the multilateral front, New Zealand endorsed India’s bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council and reiterated support for a two‑state resolution to the Israel‑Palestine conflict, as well as a diplomatic settlement of the Ukraine war.