New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon arrived in New Delhi on Sunday for his first official visit to India. He was welcomed at the airport by Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, SP Singh Baghel. During his visit, Luxon will participate in high-level meetings, including discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu. He is also the chief guest and keynote speaker at the prestigious Raisina Dialogue, scheduled from March 17 to 19. His visit coincides with the launch of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and New Zealand, aimed at strengthening economic ties between the two nations.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that Luxon will meet External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday, followed by a visit to Raj Ghat on Monday to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. His meeting with Prime Minister Modi at Hyderabad House will involve discussions on key bilateral issues and the signing of multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). Later in the day, he is scheduled to meet President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, reinforcing diplomatic cooperation between the two countries. Luxon is traveling with a high-profile delegation, making this one of the largest visits by a New Zealand prime minister to India.
After completing his engagements in Delhi, Luxon will head to Mumbai on March 19 and 20 before returning to Wellington. The Raisina Dialogue, India’s premier conference on geopolitics and geo-economics, will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi on March 17. The 2025 theme, Kalachakra – People, Peace, and Planet, highlights global challenges and collaborative solutions. With India and New Zealand strengthening their strategic partnership, Luxon’s visit marks a significant milestone in diplomatic relations between the two nations.
