PM Modi Attends India-New Zealand Partnership Gala
Prime Ministers highlight Strategic Partnership, FTA and expanded sports cooperation
- PM Narendra Modi attends special gala luncheon hosted by New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon.
- Leaders highlight Strategic Partnership and India-New Zealand FTA.
- Modi says FTA will create opportunities for businesses, youth and farmers.
- Both leaders also promote stronger sports cooperation through Joint Action Plan.
GG News Bureau
Auckland, 11th July: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday attended a special gala luncheon hosted by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, themed “India-New Zealand: A Winning Partnership”, where the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties following the elevation of relations to a Strategic Partnership.
The event brought together prominent personalities from politics, business, industry, academia, technology, sports and the arts, reflecting the broad-based nature of the India-New Zealand relationship.
Welcoming the guests, Prime Minister Luxon highlighted the enduring friendship between the two countries and outlined a shared vision for expanding cooperation and promoting mutual prosperity.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Modi underscored the complementarities between the Indian and New Zealand economies and highlighted the strong people-to-people ties that have long connected the two nations.
He welcomed the elevation of bilateral ties to the level of a Strategic Partnership and expressed confidence that it would further deepen cooperation across multiple sectors.
Prime Minister Modi said the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA), concluded in record time, would create fresh opportunities for businesses, youth and farmers in both countries while helping achieve the shared goal of doubling bilateral trade by 2030.
Following the luncheon, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Luxon toured an exhibition of innovative sports equipment displayed at the venue and interacted with distinguished New Zealand athletes and stakeholders associated with high-performance sports.
Recalling a century of sporting engagement between India and New Zealand, Prime Minister Modi said the Sports Joint Action Plan signed during the visit would broaden cooperation beyond cricket and strengthen collaboration in multiple sporting disciplines.
The initiative also aligns with India’s preparations to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, further reinforcing sports as an important pillar of the India-New Zealand Strategic Partnership.
