Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a special Gala luncheon event hosted by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon themed 'India-New Zealand: A Winning Partnership'. The event marked the elevation of bilateral ties to the level of Strategic Partnership, which both leaders expressed would deepen ongoing collaboration between the two countries.
A key development was the conclusion of the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, which was finalized in record time. Prime Minister Modi stated that this FTA would open new opportunities for businesses, youth, and farmers in both countries and specifically help achieve the target of doubling bilateral trade by 2030.
In the sports domain, the leaders recalled 100 years of sports engagement between the two sides and noted the conclusion of a Sports Joint Action Plan during the visit. This plan is intended to help both countries expand ties beyond cricket, with the cooperation being particularly timely as India prepares to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030. The event was attended by eminent personalities from politics, business, industry, academia, technology, sports, and the arts.