PM Modi thanked South Korean President Lee Jae-myung for his good wishes on India-New Zealand relations. PM Modi, who is on a historic visit to New Zealand in four decades, held bilateral talks with his counterpart Christopher Luxon.
New Delhi [भारत]July 11 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked South Korean President Lee Jae-myung for his good wishes to strengthen bilateral relations between India and New Zealand. In a post on Instagram, PM Modi acknowledged the South Korean President’s message, saying thoughtful messages from “friends” are always priceless. PM Modi wrote, “President Lee Jae-myung, thank you for your heartfelt congratulatory message. Such thoughtful messages from friends are always cherished. “
Earlier, President Lee Jae-myung had responded to a post by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, in which he shared visuals of PM Modi’s welcome ceremony in New Zealand. “I wish for the friendship and progress of both India and New Zealand,” President Lee wrote on Friday.
Bilateral talks and other events in Auckland
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon in Auckland on Saturday (local time). The bilateral discussions were preceded by a formal welcome ceremony at Government House, where Prime Minister Modi was given a guard of honour.
Later today, the Prime Minister is scheduled to interact with leading business and sports personalities.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Prime Minister will also address a large gathering of the Indian diaspora, highlighting the strong people-to-people ties between India and New Zealand.
Historic journey in four decades
Soon after arriving in Auckland on Friday, PM Modi described his visit as “historic”. In a post on Twitter, he thanked Prime Minister Luxon for the welcome at the airport and highlighted that this is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand in four decades. He wrote, “Arrived in Auckland a short while ago. I am grateful to Prime Minister Luxon for the welcome at the airport. This visit is historic as it is the first Prime Minister level visit to New Zealand in four decades.”
PM Modi arrived in Auckland on Friday and was welcomed by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, with whom he shared a warm hug. This visit is taking place on the invitation of Prime Minister Luxon.
Following the signing of the Free Trade Agreement in April this year, the visit is expected to provide further impetus to trade and bilateral relations. The two leaders had earlier held a bilateral meeting during the official visit of Prime Minister Luxon to India on March 17, 2025 in New Delhi. (ANI)
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