PM Luxon posts thank you note describing India as 'increasingly important partner for New Zealand'
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Saturday said the partnership between Wellington and New Delhi "has grown much stronger during my visit this week." Starting March 16, Luxon was on a five-day visit to India with a focus on deepening the bilateral trade and economic ties with New Delhi.
Mar 22, 2025, 23:38 IST
After returning to New Zealand, Luxon made a series of posts on X recapping the India visit and highlighted the achievements on defence, trade and other sectors.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon recently concluded a five-day visit to India, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations. Upon his return, he expressed his gratitude and highlighted the significance of the partnership between New Zealand and India.
In a series of social media posts, Luxon referred to India as "an increasingly important partner for New Zealand," noting that their partnership "has grown much stronger during my visit this week." He also mentioned the pleasure of spending time with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss ways to enhance ties between the countries.
During his visit, both nations agreed to commence negotiations on a Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Luxon expressed his delight over this development, stating that the launch of FTA negotiations presents an opportunity to bolster economic growth for New Zealanders.
In addition to trade discussions, a new Defence Cooperation Arrangement was announced, reinforcing New Zealand's commitment to regional security. Luxon highlighted that this agreement underscores the importance of collaboration in defense and security between the two countries.
The visit also focused on enhancing New Zealand's presence in key sectors such as education, technology, tourism, investment, manufacturing, food, and primary industries. Luxon noted that 33 Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and other commercial outcomes were progressed during the mission, reflecting the growing partnerships between New Zealand and Indian businesses.
Overall, Luxon's visit to India marked a significant step in deepening the bilateral ties between the two nations, with promising prospects for future collaboration in various sectors.