Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in Laos early on Friday in what is being described as a big diplomatic win for bilateral relations between the two countries.
The two leaders met on October 11 while in Laos for the East Asia Summit. In opening remarks in Hindi, Modi offered Luxon "a very warm welcome", noting it was their first in-person meeting having previously spoken over the phone in July.
"I'm very happy to have this opportunity of seeing you today [to] discuss some important issues," a spokesperson translated.
Speaking before the sit-down, Luxon told media he was determined to deepen relations with India with the goal of securing a free trade deal, citing India's booming economy and population.
"I want the relationship in place, which is what we've been working hard at over the last 10 months," he said.
"Once we have a foundation of a relationship, then we can start to progress the more transactional conversations around trade, and also around security."
The two prime ministers then sat next to each other during a big gala dinner that night. Their discussion appeared to continue, in-depth, as the formal dinner kicked off.
Luxon later posted on X, “With so many Indians making New Zealand their second home, India is an important and special country for New Zealand. I was pleased to meet with Prime Minister @narendramodi at the East Asia Summit to discuss the opportunities our countries have before us.”
Modi also took to social media after the meeting. “Had an excellent meeting with the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mr. Christopher Luxon,” he wrote on X.
“We value our friendship with New Zealand, bound together by a commitment to democracy, freedom and rule of law. Our talks covered sectors such as economic cooperation, tourism, education and innovation.”
The prime minister was widely expected to travel to India to meet Modi in October, but that trip is now likely to happen only next year.“We are trying really hard to do it (the trip) but both of our schedules between now and Christmas…with our different travel engagements….it is very difficult. But we will get on to that.”
John Key was the last New Zealand prime minister to visit the South Asian giant, back in 2016. But after almost eight years of relative lull, Beehive is once again abuzz with chatter around how to sweeten relations with India.
Riding on Luxon’s bullish approach to getting the India relationship moving, Trade Minister Todd McClay has got himself busy.
He has met his Indian counterpart Piyush Goyal five times in nine months, conveying a serious intent to increase bilateral trade and warm up diplomatic channels.
The hustle seems to have returned to Wellington nearly two years after former foreign minister Nanaia Mahuta said a free trade agreement (FTA) with India was not her government’s priority.
During his election campaign last year, Luxon pointed out “we haven't built relationships in India as we should have”, and said New Zealand has failed to tap into the country’s huge promise and potential.
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