Swapna Kumbar , Bengaluru - Prime Minister Narendra Modi has departed for New Zealand after completing his Australia visit, continuing the final leg of his six-day, three-nation Indo-Pacific tour. During the two-day New Zealand visit, he is set to meet Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and other leaders to deepen economic and trade ties.

Modi will arrive in Auckland for what has been described as the first visit by an Indian prime minister to New Zealand in 40 years. The trip comes after India and New Zealand signed a free trade agreement in April, which is expected to give a major boost to commerce between the two countries. Reports say the discussions will also cover defence, education, technology, maritime cooperation and broader Indo-Pacific issues.

Luxon has called the visit historic and said the relationship is being taken to the next level through the new trade agreement. The visit also includes a formal welcome in Auckland and a public engagement with the Indian diaspora. New Zealand officials have framed the visit as a chance to convert the trade deal into faster growth in goods, services and investment flows.

Modi’s New Zealand stop caps a high-profile regional tour that has focused on building stronger ties across the Indo-Pacific. The visit is expected to add momentum to trade implementation and broaden the strategic partnership between New Delhi and Wellington.