Politics
New Zealand PM Luxon Praises Indian-Kiwis’ Contributions and Strengthens Bilateral Ties
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon landed in New Delhi Sunday, March 16, singing the praises of his country’s Indian community and firing up ties with India. Calling Indian-Kiwis a “massive” force in New Zealand’s workforce and culture, he’s here for five days to talk trade, security, and cricket—starting with a nod to the 300,000-strong diaspora that’s got his back home.
Luxon’s Shout-Out
Fresh off the plane, Luxon took to X: “Indian community’s our third biggest ethnic group—top source of skilled migrants, second for students. Indian-Kiwis make NZ tick, and I’m proud of it.” He huddled with heavy hitters on his trip—cricketers Ajaz Patel and Ross Taylor among them—showing off the Kiwi-Indian vibe that’s more than just curry and cover drives.
Ties Getting Tighter
Luxon’s not just sightseeing—he’s here for the 10th Raisina Dialogue, India’s big geopolitics powwow, kicking off today, March 17. He’s the chief guest, delivering the keynote after PM Narendra Modi opens the show. The gig runs through March 19, and Luxon’s itching to pitch Indo-Pacific teamwork and trade perks.
Jaishankar Meet and Indo-Pacific Chat
Sunday night, Luxon sat down with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who’s all smiles about the Kiwi PM’s vibe. “His commitment’s real—our ties are getting a boost,” Jaishankar posted on X. Luxon echoed it: “India and NZ want a stable Indo-Pacific—Jaishankar and I are on the same page.” With China’s shadow looming, that’s no small talk.
Big Talks, Big Deals
Today, Luxon’s got a date with Modi at Hyderabad House—expect MoUs on education, tech, and maybe dairy to swap hands. He’ll also tip his hat to President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The headline grabber? They’re launching Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks—NZ’s been chasing this since 2010, and India’s $6 billion trade stake (2024 stats) says it’s go-time.
Roots and Runs
India and NZ have been mates since 1952—democracy, law, and a love for cricket glue them together. NZ’s “Opening Doors to India” plan from 2011 got a reboot in 2015, and now Luxon’s here to cash it in. With Diwali lighting up Auckland and Patel’s spin bowling for the Black Caps, the cultural thread’s tight—and growing.
The Takeaway
Luxon’s India jaunt is more than photo ops—it’s a power play to lock in trade, lean on the Indian diaspora, and sync up on Indo-Pacific stability. Kicking off FTA talks and spotlighting Indian-Kiwis, he’s betting on a partnership that’s got legs. As Raisina rolls and Modi nods, NZ and India are gearing up for a bigger innings together.