News Desk
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon just wrapped up a five-day trip to India, and if the warmth of the visit is anything to go by, the two countries are looking at a closer partnership than ever before. Trade, defense, and even cricket took center stage, but underneath the camaraderie, there was a clear subtext: China’s growing presence in the Indo-Pacific is pushing New Zealand to rethink its alliances.
Luxon arrived in India on March 16 with a packed agenda, and both sides seemed eager to make things work. With Beijing flexing its muscles in the region—most recently with military drills in the Tasman Sea—New Zealand is signaling that it wants more than just friendly ties with India. At the Raisina Dialogue in Delhi, Luxon praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, particularly India’s success in pulling 250 million people out of poverty. “That’s incredible,” he said, a rare moment of outright admiration from a world leader.
The visit wasn’t just about diplomatic pleasantries. New Zealand and India signed a defense agreement to boost military cooperation, including joint exercises and port visits—an unmistakable response to the shifting balance of power in the Indo-Pacific. Luxon called it a “game plan for working closer on defense,” a sign that Wellington sees India as a key player in maintaining regional stability.
Trade was another priority. The two sides restarted negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement, with an ambitious goal to conclude talks in just 60 days. That’s a tight deadline, especially with hurdles like tariffs and market access still unresolved. But with global supply chains in flux and China’s economic dominance a growing concern, both nations have strong incentives to push through an agreement.
Beyond politics and trade, the visit had its moments of symbolism. Luxon and Modi visited Rakab Ganj Gurdwara in Delhi—a first for an Indian PM hosting a foreign leader there. The move resonated with New Zealand’s Indian diaspora, which numbers around 250,000. Sports, too, played a role in diplomacy. Luxon swung a bat in a friendly game of gully cricket with Indian legend Kapil Dev and visited the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. New Zealand and India even signed a sports deal, planning “Sporting Unity” events in 2026 to mark a century of cricketing ties between the two countries.
But not everything was lighthearted. Modi raised concerns about cross-border terrorism and the Khalistan movement, urging New Zealand to be “fully cooperative” in countering extremist groups. Luxon, whose delegation included Indian community leaders from New Zealand, assured that Wellington takes the issue seriously.
On the global stage, New Zealand signed on to India-led initiatives like the Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, signaling alignment on security and climate issues. Perhaps most notably, Luxon softened New Zealand’s stance on India’s bid to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group—an issue Wellington had resisted in the past.
For India, the visit was another opportunity to assert itself as a leader in the Indo-Pacific, balancing strategic partnerships with economic ambition. For New Zealand, it was a step toward diversifying its relationships in a region where China’s shadow looms large. The free trade talks will be the real test of whether this renewed friendship translates into tangible gains. But for now, it’s clear: Wellington and Delhi are seeing eye to eye more than ever before.
