Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s scheduled visit to New Zealand, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Thursday welcomed the proposed India-New Zealand trade agreement, saying it would provide a significant boost to the country’s exporters.
In a post on X, Luxon said the trade pact would open new opportunities for New Zealand businesses by reducing tariffs on exports to India.
“New Zealand businesses are set to boom with our India Trade Deal. 57% of everything we export to India will be tariff free from day one,” he wrote.
New Zealand businesses are set to boom with our India Trade Deal.
57% of everything we export to India will be tariff free from day one.
— Christopher Luxon (@chrisluxonmp) July 9, 2026
Modi is expected to visit New Zealand as part of his upcoming overseas engagements, with the proposed trade agreement expected to feature prominently in bilateral discussions.
India and New Zealand resumed negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) earlier this year after a long gap, aiming to strengthen trade and economic ties.
Both countries are seeking to expand market access and deepen cooperation across key sectors, including agriculture, technology and services.
The announcement comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day state visit to New Zealand from July 10 to 11 at the invitation of Christopher Luxon.
The visit will be the first by an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand in nearly four decades.
During his stay in Auckland, Modi and Luxon are scheduled to hold bilateral talks to review the entire spectrum of India-New Zealand relations, with a focus on expanding cooperation in trade, commerce and defence.
According to an official government release, the two leaders will discuss ways to further strengthen ties, which the Prime Minister’s Office said have gained “significant momentum in recent years”, particularly in economic and strategic sectors.
Modi is also expected to interact with leading business and sports personalities and address a large gathering of the Indian diaspora.
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