Modi's New Zealand Visit Upgrades India-New Zealand Ties
India's relationship with New Zealand has entered a new phase following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit, the first to the country by an Indian Premier in two decades.
The visit marked the upgrading of ties between the two countries to a full Strategic Partnership, backed by a four-year 'Roadmap to 2030' spanning defence, trade, maritime security, agriculture, tourism, sports, culture, and science.
India's growing economy has made it a key player in New Zealand's long-term strategy, with its GDP projected to reach around $7 trillion by 2030. The country's middle class is expected to exceed 700 million people, creating one of the largest consumer markets on Earth.
The two countries set a formal target to double bilateral trade to NZ$7 billion (about $4.2 billion) by 2030 during Modi's visit.