Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his New Zealand counterpart, Christopher Luxon, visited Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib in the national capital on Monday, where they paid their obeisance.
Luxon arrived in New Delhi on Sunday for a five-day official visit to India, primarily to attend Raisina Dialogue 2025, India’s premier conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics.
Earlier in the day, the two leaders held a bilateral meeting at Hyderabad House, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and addressing pressing global challenges.
During a joint press statement following their meeting, PM Modi underscored shared concerns over terrorism, referring to past attacks in both nations. He cited the devastating Christchurch attack of 2019 and the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, stressing that terrorism in all forms is unacceptable. PM Modi emphasized the need for strict action against terror perpetrators and separatist elements, highlighting the importance of global cooperation in combating violent extremism.
Both leaders reiterated their commitment to tackling terrorism through bilateral and multilateral mechanisms. The visit comes amid a growing effort to enhance India-New Zealand relations, with discussions focusing on economic cooperation, trade expansion, and regional security. Notably, the two countries have announced negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), marking a significant step toward deepening economic ties.
PM Modi warmly welcomed Luxon, calling it “a matter of immense joy” to host him in India. He described Luxon as “a youthful, dynamic, and energetic leader” and expressed his happiness at having him as the Chief Guest at Raisina Dialogue 2025.
Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue, Luxon highlighted the deep-rooted ties between India and New Zealand, stating that the relationship spans over two centuries. “It is more than 200 years since Indians and New Zealanders began living side by side… Just as they were 200 years ago, ‘Kiwi-Indians’ today are fully integrated into our multicultural society,” Luxon added.
(Inputs from ANI)
