New Delhi [India]: New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon praised the Indian community in New Zealand for their significant contributions to the country. He highlighted the notable achievements of ‘Indian-Kiwis’ across various sectors.
Luxon acknowledged that the Indian community is the third-largest ethnic group in New Zealand, the largest source of skilled migrants, and the second-largest source of international students.
During his visit to India, Luxon met with community and business leaders who accompanied him. Cricketers Ajaz Patel and Ross Taylor were also seen alongside the New Zealand PM.
Luxon arrived in New Delhi on Sunday for a five-day official visit to India. He will serve as the chief guest at the 10th edition of the Raisina Dialogue and deliver the keynote address.
The Indian community is the third-largest ethnic group in New Zealand, India is our largest source of skilled migrants, and our second largest source of international students.
— Christopher Luxon (@chrisluxonmp) March 17, 2025
In short, Indian-Kiwis make a massive contribution to New Zealand and I’m proud of what this… pic.twitter.com/Dnwf8gNUMw
“The Indian community is the third-largest ethnic group in New Zealand, India is our largest source of skilled migrants, and our second-largest source of international students. In short, Indian-Kiwis make a massive contribution to New Zealand and I’m proud of what this community does for our country,” PM Luxon stated in a post on X.
“I’ve brought along a senior delegation of community and business leaders here to India – the largest ever group to accompany a New Zealand PM on a foreign trip. Was great to catch up with them after our arrival and before we kick off our events in Delhi and Mumbai,” he added.
On Sunday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met PM Luxon and appreciated his efforts in strengthening ties between India and New Zealand.
“Pleased to call on PM @chrisluxonmp of New Zealand. Appreciate his commitment to further deepening our longstanding ties. Looking forward to his participation as Chief Guest in #RaisinaDialogue2025,” Jaishankar stated.
Luxon also emphasized the shared vision of both countries for a stable, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
“India and New Zealand share a goal of a stable, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. This is what External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar and I spoke about upon my arrival into Delhi,” PM Luxon stated.
During the Raisina Dialogue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the event on March 17, where PM Luxon will serve as the keynote speaker.
As part of his visit, Luxon will meet PM Modi at Hyderabad House in Delhi, where both leaders will witness an exchange of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). Later in the day, Luxon will meet President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
Ahead of the Modi-Luxon meeting, the two nations announced the launch of negotiations for an India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
India and New Zealand enjoy warm diplomatic ties, established in 1952. Both nations share common values such as membership in the Commonwealth, common law practices, and democratic governance for diverse communities.
Tourism and sporting links, particularly in cricket, hockey, and mountaineering, have also played a significant role in strengthening their relations. New Zealand identified India as a priority country in its “Opening Doors to India” policy, first introduced in October 2011 and reaffirmed in 2015.