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By Reuters

prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, with Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his New Zealand ​counterpart Christopher Luxon upgraded their nations’ diplomatic ties ‌on Saturday, as Modi seeks to ​bolster New Delhi’s ties in ⁠the Asia-Pacific region.

The leaders elevated bilateral relations to a “strategic partnership” during talks in Auckland, ‌reflecting their nations’ “shared democratic values, deep people-to-people links, and shared interests ‌in the Indo-Pacific”, they said ‌in ⁠a statement.

Modi, who arrived on ⁠Friday night after signing deals with Indonesia and Australia, is to address an Indian diaspora ​event at an Auckland ‌arena later on Saturday, public broadcaster Radio New Zealand reported.

The first visit by an Indian prime minister to ‌New Zealand in 40 years comes ​amid rising anti-Indian sentiment in New Zealand and tensions in its ⁠ruling coalition caused by a free-trade agreement between the two nations.

The two countries ‌have also moved closer on security, signing a defence cooperation arrangement and pledging greater collaboration on maritime safety, reflecting shared concerns about stability in the Indo-Pacific.

However, rising Indian migration has made ‌the community a flashpoint in New Zealand’s immigration ​debate, with Indian New Zealanders reporting more racial abuse while politicians including ⁠Winston Peters’ New Zealand First party push ⁠for tighter migrant controls. About 292,000 of New Zealand’s 5.3 million people ‌identified as Indian in a 2023 census.

Published on July 11, 2026

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