PM Modi and New Zealands Luxon Attend Sports Exhibition in Auckland

Auckland, July 11: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon visited an innovative sports equipment exhibition in Auckland on Saturday. They also participated in a grand gala lunch.

Both leaders engaged with esteemed New Zealand athletes and stakeholders involved in high-performance sports, as reported by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

During the visit, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the century-long sports cooperation between the two nations. He expressed that the recently concluded Sports Joint Action Plan will enhance collaboration beyond cricket, paving the way for new avenues in sports cooperation.

The MEA stated, “This visit aligns with both countries’ desire to broaden sports collaboration, especially as India prepares to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030.”

The special gala lunch, hosted by Prime Minister Luxon in honor of Prime Minister Modi, was themed “India-New Zealand: A Winning Partnership.” It saw participation from prominent figures across politics, business, industry, education, technology, sports, and the arts.

In his address, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the complementary strengths and longstanding people-to-people ties between the two nations.

According to the MEA, “He welcomed the elevation of India-New Zealand bilateral relations to the level of a strategic partnership and expressed confidence that this would deepen ongoing cooperation. He noted that the recently concluded India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will open new opportunities for businesses, youth, and farmers, aiding in the goal of doubling bilateral trade by 2030.”

In his welcoming speech, Prime Minister Luxon also highlighted the deep and enduring relationship between India and New Zealand. He presented a shared vision for strengthening bilateral cooperation and advancing mutual prosperity.

Following the gala lunch, the Ministry of External Affairs posted on social media platform X, stating, “Both leaders welcomed the elevation of India-New Zealand relations to the level of a strategic partnership. Prime Minister Modi mentioned the opportunities arising from the recently concluded FTA for businesses, youth, and farmers, which will help achieve the goal of doubling bilateral trade by 2030.”