PM Modi meets NZ opposition leader Chris Hipkins, discusses bilateral ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met New Zealand Opposition Leader Chris Hipkins in Auckland to discuss strengthening bilateral ties, trade and people-to-people relations. The meeting followed Modi's talks with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, during which both countries elevated ties to a strategic partnership

Auckland: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met with New Zealand’s Opposition Leader Chris Hipkins and discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations, including people-to-people ties. Modi is in New Zealand on the final leg of his three-nation visit. This is the first visit to New Zealand by an Indian prime minister in 40 years.

“Prime Minister @narendramodi met with New Zealand Opposition Leader Rt Hon Chris Hipkins,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a post on X.

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Chris Hipkins is the Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party and Member of Parliament for Remutaka. The two leaders discussed “a wide range of issues, including trade and people-to-people ties, reaffirming their commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations,” it said.

Earlier, Modi held talks with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, following which India and New Zealand elevated their ties to a strategic partnership and set a five-year target to double their annual bilateral trade in goods and services to Rs 35,000 crore. The meeting yielded 18 concrete outcomes, including 10 agreements.

Separately, Modi also held an interaction with a select group of CEOs and business leaders. Modi’s three-nation tour was largely focused on expanding cooperation in the Indo-Pacific against the backdrop of China’s increasing assertiveness in the region. He visited Indonesia and Australia before this.