Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected in Auckland in July
Tuesday, 19 May 2026
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Auckland for a flying trip in July.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s office won’t confirm the trip - saying Modi’s travel plans are for his office to announce - but The Post understands preparations for the trip are well and truly under way.
If it goes ahead, it will be the biggest visit from a foreign head of state in many years.
Modi’s trip is expected to last just a day and include meeting with Luxon and speaking to the Indian diaspora in Auckland - details that are yet to be officially confirmed.
Read more:
While there have been hints Modi would visit this year, former National MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi appears to have let the cat out of the bag in Facebook post on Monday.
The post - a digital flyer with a picture of Modi on it - previews a “historic community welcome event” for the Indian Prime Minister in Auckland, with details about the venue, date and time to be confirmed.
New Zealand and India have just signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), eliminating or significantly reducing tarrifs on 95% of New Zealand’s exports.
While a huge achievement for the National Party - that promised to secure an FTA this term - the deal has been heavily criticised by NZ First, that has argued New Zealand gave too many concessions in areas like immigration in exchange for meagre gains in dairy.
The country’s top trade official Vangelis Vitalis last week confirmed India threatened walkouts over New Zealand’s push for dairy to be included.
Trade Minister Todd McClay would not confirm to The Post if Modi was coming to New Zealand in July on his way into National’s caucus meeting on Tuesday.
“I’m only the Minister of Trade. Any visit by a head of state would be well above my pay grade.”
Modi has visited New Zealand before but never as India’s prime minister, a role he’s had since 2014.