New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is in India, and this visit is more than just a diplomatic courtesy call—it’s a statement. Luxon has marked India as a top priority for his leadership, and he’s here with big ambitions. Trade, tourism, and strategic alignment are at the heart of the visit, but there’s more. This is the first official visit by a New Zealand PM in a long time, and Luxon means business in every sense of the word. He wants a deeper engagement with India—not just in trade but also in defence cooperation. Prime Minister Modi, meanwhile, stated that this budding new relationship will prove to be a “match-winning partnership” for the people of both nations. Prime Minister Luxon kicked off his five-day tour with a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where he was received with a warm and traditional welcome. He also delivered the keynote address at the Raisina Dialogue, where he is the chief guest—a clear sign that India is rolling out the red carpet. With nearly 6% of New Zealand’s population being of Indian origin, the two leaders acknowledged their countries’ deep-rooted people-to-people ties. A KIWI PRIME MINISTER PERSONALLY INVESTED IN INDIA Luxon is no stranger to India. Before entering politics, he had a long corporate career, working with companies like Unilever and was also the CEO of Air New Zealand. During his corporate career, he visited India frequently and became bullish on its economy. Now, as PM, he’s bringing that business mindset to diplomacy. New Zealand’s trade with India currently hovers just around $1.7 billion annually—not a figure that reflects the true potential of the relationship. Luxon wants to change that. He has openly campaigned for a trade deal with India and has now launched negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Talks had been stalled for over a decade, but his visit signals a renewed push to get them back on track. His objective is to double New Zealand’s exports and strengthen economic ties with India. New Zealand aims to increase sales of various goods, including agricultural products such as dairy, wool, and fruits, along with iron and steel, aluminium, and wood pulp. Additionally, the country seeks to expand its presence in sectors like education and tourism. STRATEGIC TIES: SHARED CONCERNS OVER CHINA But beyond the cultural connection and business ties, they recognised a shared challenge—an increasingly uncertain world. The two leaders have agreed to institutionalise defence and security cooperation, focusing on joint exercises, training programmes, and collaboration in the defence industry. PM Modi also emphasised the growing maritime security cooperation, pointing out that a New Zealand naval ship is making a port call in Mumbai. Both nations, as maritime powers, have a vested interest in keeping the Indo-Pacific stable, inclusive, and prosperous. And that means standing by the rules-based international order, particularly UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea). New Zealand and India have a commonality—both have had to deal with China’s growing assertiveness. Just like India faces border tensions with Beijing, New Zealand has been watching China’s increasing presence in the Pacific with concern. Luxon knows that deeper defence cooperation with India could be a strategic win for both nations. The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to freedom of navigation and overflight in international waters—something that has become a pressing issue as China flexes its muscles in the Indo-Pacific. A THORNY ISSUE: KHALISTANI SEPARATISM However, there is one potential roadblock in this budding relationship—Khalistani separatism. New Zealand has seen pro-Khalistan elements hold a so-called “referendum” on breaking up India. Naturally, this has not gone down well with New Delhi. Without naming Khalistani separatism, PM Modi called out “anti-India activities” taking place in New Zealand. Luxon’s government has acknowledged the issue and made it clear that New Zealand respects and recognises India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. While this may not fully satisfy concerns in India, it is a step towards addressing the friction. Luxon’s visit to India, therefore, is significant. Far beyond being just about trade numbers or diplomatic pleasantries—it’s about setting the stage for a stronger, more meaningful partnership. From pushing for a long-overdue trade deal to expanding defence ties, this visit has the potential to redefine India-New Zealand relations. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.