PM Luxon looks ahead to PM Modi visit, hails Kiwi Indian community
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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has highlighted the significance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to New Zealand on Friday, describing it as an important step in strengthening the relationship between the two countries.
Speaking at The Indian Weekender Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame 2026 on 3 July, an event that also served as a curtain-raiser for Prime Minister Modi's visit following the announcement made earlier that day, Luxon reflected on his visit to India last year, which he described as one of the largest New Zealand delegations to travel offshore.
"And now it's our turn. It's our turn to reciprocate that hospitality, to show him everything that's great about New Zealand..."
Highlighting India's rapid economic growth, Luxon noted that India is the fastest-growing economy in the G20 and is on track to become the world's third-largest economy. Recalling his visits to India during his time with Unilever and Hindustan Lever, and later as Prime Minister last year, he said,
"Every time you visit India, you are struck by the dynamism, the innovation, the determination, the energy of the place."
"It's actually infectious and it's contagious."
Speaking about India's economic transformation, Luxon pointed to the country's expanding airports, roads and infrastructure, describing India as "a super successful country, an incredible geopolitical power." He also referred to India's achievement of landing near the South Pole of the Moon three years ago.
"So all of that is just context for why Prime Minister Modi and I feel that this is the time for New Zealand and India to get in behind the FTA."
Luxon said the Free Trade Agreement would deliver significant benefits for both countries.
"And it is really important because we're going to have an FTA that actually means tariffs are reduced from 95% of everything that we export to New Zealand or reduced or removed, and 57% will be removed from day one of the new agreement. And both of our economy, both of us want to do that because we think it's in both of our country's interest to be able to expand jobs, lift incomes and create opportunity for New Zealanders."
Beyond trade, Luxon also spoke extensively about the shared values and aspirations of India and New Zealand.
"Both nations, as you know, are very proud democracies."
He said the two leaders had also discussed strengthening defence cooperation in an increasingly multipolar world.
"And so that's why Prime Minister Modi and I in a multi polar world have talked about what more we can do in our defence agreements with each other to be able to make sure our defence forces are training together and doing more exercises and exchanges together as well."
PM Luxon also highlighted the contribution of the Indian community in New Zealand, saying he had told Prime Minister Modi that Kiwi Indians, on average, are younger, better educated and have higher earnings than the general New Zealand population.
In his concluding remarks, he praised the community's contribution to New Zealand.
"In conclusion, can I just say the success of the Kiwi Indian community is New Zealand's success. It reflects the strength of a confident, diverse and outward looking nation that is ready and is hungry to succeed in the decades ahead. It's a nation that welcomes talent. It's a nation that values contribution and rewards hard work and a nation that believes and opportunity."
PM Luxon also addressed anti-immigrant rhetoric, saying such views should be rejected.
"We should reject outright the voices and the politicians that are wanting to whip up anti immigrant sentiment, not acknowledging how hard you have worked to make yourself a success for your family and for the community that you're part of."
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has highlighted the significance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to New Zealand on Friday, describing it as an important step in strengthening the relationship between the two countries.Speaking at The Indian Weekender Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame 2026...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has highlighted the significance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to New Zealand on Friday, describing it as an important step in strengthening the relationship between the two countries.
Speaking at The Indian Weekender Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame 2026 on 3 July, an event that also served as a curtain-raiser for Prime Minister Modi's visit following the announcement made earlier that day, Luxon reflected on his visit to India last year, which he described as one of the largest New Zealand delegations to travel offshore.
"And now it's our turn. It's our turn to reciprocate that hospitality, to show him everything that's great about New Zealand..."
Highlighting India's rapid economic growth, Luxon noted that India is the fastest-growing economy in the G20 and is on track to become the world's third-largest economy. Recalling his visits to India during his time with Unilever and Hindustan Lever, and later as Prime Minister last year, he said,
"Every time you visit India, you are struck by the dynamism, the innovation, the determination, the energy of the place."
"It's actually infectious and it's contagious."
Speaking about India's economic transformation, Luxon pointed to the country's expanding airports, roads and infrastructure, describing India as "a super successful country, an incredible geopolitical power." He also referred to India's achievement of landing near the South Pole of the Moon three years ago.
"So all of that is just context for why Prime Minister Modi and I feel that this is the time for New Zealand and India to get in behind the FTA."
Luxon said the Free Trade Agreement would deliver significant benefits for both countries.
"And it is really important because we're going to have an FTA that actually means tariffs are reduced from 95% of everything that we export to New Zealand or reduced or removed, and 57% will be removed from day one of the new agreement. And both of our economy, both of us want to do that because we think it's in both of our country's interest to be able to expand jobs, lift incomes and create opportunity for New Zealanders."
Beyond trade, Luxon also spoke extensively about the shared values and aspirations of India and New Zealand.
"Both nations, as you know, are very proud democracies."
He said the two leaders had also discussed strengthening defence cooperation in an increasingly multipolar world.
"And so that's why Prime Minister Modi and I in a multi polar world have talked about what more we can do in our defence agreements with each other to be able to make sure our defence forces are training together and doing more exercises and exchanges together as well."
PM Luxon also highlighted the contribution of the Indian community in New Zealand, saying he had told Prime Minister Modi that Kiwi Indians, on average, are younger, better educated and have higher earnings than the general New Zealand population.
In his concluding remarks, he praised the community's contribution to New Zealand.
"In conclusion, can I just say the success of the Kiwi Indian community is New Zealand's success. It reflects the strength of a confident, diverse and outward looking nation that is ready and is hungry to succeed in the decades ahead. It's a nation that welcomes talent. It's a nation that values contribution and rewards hard work and a nation that believes and opportunity."
PM Luxon also addressed anti-immigrant rhetoric, saying such views should be rejected.
"We should reject outright the voices and the politicians that are wanting to whip up anti immigrant sentiment, not acknowledging how hard you have worked to make yourself a success for your family and for the community that you're part of."
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