<\/p>\n
\nIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets his New Zealand counterpart, Christopher Luxon, in New Delhi in March 2025. Officials are planning a reciprocal trip later this year.
\nPhoto: Piyal Bhattacharya \/ The Times of India via AFP\n<\/p>\n
Preparations are underway for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s maiden visit to New Zealand, with officials on both sides signalling growing momentum behind the long-anticipated trip.<\/p>\n
Fresh details about the visit have emerged after Trade Minister Todd McClay met his Indian counterpart, Piyush Goyal, on the sidelines of a World Trade Organization ministerial conference in Cameroon on Sunday, with discussions focusing on trade ties and preparations for Modi’s visit.<\/p>\n
While no official dates have been confirmed, RNZ understands planning is underway for a Modi visit around the middle of the year.<\/p>\n
“The ministers briefly reviewed preparations for the upcoming New Zealand visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi,” the statement from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said.<\/p>\n
“Expressing high enthusiasm for this visit, New Zealand confirmed that a substantial list of deliverables [is] currently being finalised by both sides for this visit.”<\/p>\n
The ministry also said New Zealand would host a high-level business delegation during Modi’s visit.<\/p>\n
“Both sides also reviewed the progress toward the signing of the recently concluded India-New Zealand FTA,” the ministry said.<\/p>\n
New Zealand confirmed the conclusion of free trade negotiations with India<\/a> in December last year, but coalition partner New Zealand First withheld its support.<\/p>\n The party invoked an “agree to disagree” clause in its coalition agreement with the National Party, with leader Winston Peters calling the deal “neither free nor fair”.<\/p>\n As a result, the government needs support from the opposition to pass the agreement.<\/p>\n In February, McClay said political backing for the NZ-India free trade agreement was getting closer<\/a>.<\/p>\n