With an official visit to New Zealand from July 10-11, Narendra Modi became the first Indian prime minister to visit the country in 40 years. Before Modi, the last Indian prime minister to visit the country was Rajiv Gandhi. Modi’s visit followed New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s visit to India in March 2025. The timeliness of the visit is evident in the fact that it just took two reciprocal visits of the leaders of the two countries to sign a strategic partnership agreement: the “India-New Zealand Strategic Partnership: Roadmap to 2030.” In all, the two sides signed 10 agreements during Modi’s visit, spanning a wide range of areas of mutual interest and cooperation.
Amid the pageantry, Modi’s New Zealand visit was an attempt to make up for a shortfall in diplomatic footwork from the Indian side, and to bridge the economic and strategic gaps between the two countries. This was no small feat by any measure.
Modi’s visit is rightly considered a landmark event. New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has called India a strategic priority for New Zealand, highlighting India’s growing political and economic influence globally. This attitude was demonstrated in the warm welcome Modi received in Auckland.
