Christopher Luxon arrives in India to strengthen bilateral ties

On March 17, 2025, Christopher Luxon, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, commenced his first official visit to India, following an invitation from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit, which will last for five days until March 20, marks an important occasion aimed at reinforcing the longstanding relationship between India and New Zealand, with both countries eager to enhance their bilateral ties across various sectors. The high-level delegation accompanying Luxon includes senior officials, ministers, business leaders, media representatives, and members of the Indian diaspora in New Zealand. Upon his arrival, Luxon is scheduled to meet India's External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, to discuss areas of mutual interest. On the same day, Luxon will pay his respects at Mahatma Gandhi's memorial, Rajghat, and will later meet with Prime Minister Modi to engage in detailed discussions. These dialogues are expected to cover a broad range of topics, including trade, defense cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges. Additionally, a lunch will be hosted by PM Modi in honor of Luxon's visit, further solidifying the diplomatic relations between the two nations. Luxon will also play a significant role as the Chief Guest at the inaugural session of the 10th Raisina Dialogue, India's premier conference on geopolitics and geo-economics, taking place in New Delhi from March 17 to March 19. His keynote address will contribute to discussions centered around regional and global security issues, reinforcing ties between India and the wider Indo-Pacific region. This three-day dialogue is anticipated to attract approximately 3,500 participants from around 125 countries, including political leaders, diplomats, military figures, and business executives, all gathered to tackle pressing global issues under the theme "Kālachakra: People, Peace, Planet." On March 19 and 20, Luxon will travel to Mumbai to interact with Indian business leaders and representatives from various sectors, hoping to enhance economic cooperation between New Zealand and India. The Ministry of External Affairs emphasized that Luxon's visit underscores the enduring partnership between the two countries, reaffirming their commitment to strengthen collaboration in areas such as trade, technology, and cultural exchanges. In conclusion, this visit by Prime Minister Luxon highlights the shared dedication of both countries to further cement their bilateral relations and increase cooperation across multiple fronts.