Wellington/New Delhi, July 3 (IANS) New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Friday announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake his first official visit to New Zealand next week, describing India as one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies and a country of immense importance to New Zealand’s future economic prosperity.

In a post on X, Luxon said, “I’m delighted to announce Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make his first official visit to New Zealand next week.”

Highlighting the significance of the bilateral relationship, he added, “India is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies, and a country of enormous importance to New Zealand’s economic prosperity.”

Luxon said the two countries were taking their partnership to a new level through the New Zealand-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), signed in April.

“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,” he said.

Emphasising the economic opportunities arising from the agreement, the New Zealand Prime Minister said, “This will unlock new opportunities to grow our goods and services exports into a market of 1.4 billion people – bringing more money into Kiwi communities, creating jobs and lifting wages.”

Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to arrive in Auckland on July 10 and depart on July 11. The visit comes just over two months after India and New Zealand signed the landmark FTA, marking a major milestone in bilateral economic relations.

The agreement is expected to significantly deepen trade and investment ties between the two countries. It will eliminate tariffs on 95 per cent of goods exported from New Zealand, providing greater market access for its exporters.

The pact will also enable India to secure duty-free imports of key manufacturing inputs, including wooden logs, coking coal, and waste and scrap metals. These measures are expected to reduce production costs, strengthen supply chains and enhance the competitiveness of Indian manufacturing.

Beyond trade, the agreement includes cooperation in agriculture through a dedicated agrotechnology plan to support Indian farmers with expertise and inputs for kiwi fruit, apple, and honey production.

Prime Minister Luxon made an official visit to India from March 16 to 20, 2025. During the trip, he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and launched negotiations for a Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Several agreements were also signed across key sectors, including defence, horticulture, and forestry.

India and New Zealand share a warm and multidimensional partnership rooted in shared democratic values, Commonwealth ties and a common vision for stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

–IANS

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