Auckland event with Indian diaspora
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said India will shape the 21st century and that New Zealand is ready to work alongside it. He made the remarks at an event with people of Indian origin in Auckland, alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Citing India’s recent progress
Luxon pointed to developments he said took place over the past decade, including 250 million people being lifted out of poverty, a doubling of the number of airports, and the construction of 95,000 km of new highways. He also highlighted India’s hosting of the G20 summit.
Praise for space milestone and leadership
Referring to India’s lunar mission, Luxon said India achieved a first by landing a spacecraft near the Moon’s south pole. He also said India is expected to become the world’s third-largest economy soon, and described Modi as a significant leader of the current era and a “true friend” of New Zealand.
Free trade pact and diaspora contribution
Luxon said India and New Zealand have signed a free trade agreement, which he said would open access for New Zealand exporters to India’s 1.4 billion-strong market and create new opportunities for Indian entrepreneurs in New Zealand. He added that the 330,000-strong Indian-origin community in New Zealand contributes about ₹3.53 lakh crore annually—around 9% of GDP—and supports about 220,000 jobs.
