PM Modi thanks South Korean President for warm wishes on India-New Zealand ties
New Delhi, July 11
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his gratitude to South Korean President Lee Jae-myung for his well wishes regarding the strengthening of the bilateral relationship between India and New Zealand.
In a post on X, PM Modi acknowledged the South Korean President's message, stating that thoughtful messages "from friends" are always cherished.
"Thank you to President Lee Jae-myung for your warm congratulatory message. Thoughtful messages like these from friends are always deeply cherished," PM Modi wrote.
Earlier, President Lee Jae-myung had replied to a post by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who had shared visuals of his welcoming ceremony for PM Modi in New Zealand.
"Wishing for the friendship and progress of both India and New Zealand," President Lee wrote on X on Friday.
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 ceremonial welcome at the Government House, where Prime Minister Modi was accorded a Guard of Honour.
Later today, the Prime Minister is scheduled to interact with prominent business and sports personalities. Reflecting the strong people-to-people ties between India and New Zealand, the Prime Minister will also address a large gathering of the Indian diaspora, as per the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
On Friday, shortly after arriving in Auckland, PM Modi described his visit as "historic." In a post on X, 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.
"Reached Auckland a short while ago. Thankful to Prime Minister Luxon for the welcome at the airport. This visit is historic, being the first Prime Ministerial visit to New Zealand in four decades," he wrote.
PM Modi arrived in Auckland on Friday and was greeted by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, with whom he shared a warm embrace. This visit is taking place at the invitation of Prime Minister Luxon.
Following the signing of a Free Trade Agreement in April this year, this visit is expected to act as a catalyst to generate further momentum in trade and bilateral relations. The two leaders previously held a bilateral meeting in New Delhi on March 17, 2025, during Prime Minister Luxon's official visit to India.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Kya baat hai! First PM visit to New Zealand in 40 years - that's quite a milestone. Let's hope it translates into better opportunities for Indian students and businesses there.
Nice to see this kind of friendly diplomatic exchange. But I hope the trade deals are mutually beneficial and not just one-sided like some recent agreements. Need to see concrete results, not just photo ops.
The diaspora engagement is key! Kiwis of Indian origin are doing amazing work in tech, agriculture, and sports. This visit will definitely boost our cultural connect. 🏏🤗
Points for the diplomatic niceties, but 40 years without a PM visit shows how much we've neglected this relationship. Better late than never, but let's see if this translates into actual trade growth or just another speech.
Chalo, finally some attention to the Pacific! India needs more friends in that region, especially with China flexing its muscles there. Good move by Modi ji. 👏
I appreciate the PM's outreach, but I wish our foreign policy focused more on resolving domestic issues like farmer protests and unemployment. Still, any global recognition is good for India's image. 🌟
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.