New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who is on a five-day official tour of India, paid a visit to Gurudwara Rakabganj in Delhi with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit emphasized the cultural and spiritual bond between the two countries.
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#WATCH | Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon arrive at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib and pay obeisance.
(Video: DD) pic.twitter.com/P2m9Al4WWL
— ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2025
Strengthening India-New Zealand Relations
Luxon’s trip to India, March 16-20, has been at the request of PM Modi. This is his inaugural trip as Prime Minister of New Zealand, and he has been accompanied by a senior delegation comprising ministers, senior officials, business leaders, media representatives, and members of New Zealand’s Indian diaspora.
As part of official engagements, Luxon is the chief guest during the 10th Raisina Dialogue for which he is to give the keynote address. Commenting about the visit, MEA Secretary (East) Jaideep Mazumdar said, “At the personal invitation of PM Modi, New Zealand PM, Christopher Luxon, is undertaking an official visit from 16th to 20th March.”. This is his first India visit in his present role as Prime Minister. He is the guest of honour at the 10th Raisina Dialogue this year and will be delivering the keynote address later tonight.
High-Level Engagements and Bilateral Talks
Prior to their visit to Gurudwara Rakabganj, Luxon and Modi also had a bilateral meeting at Hyderabad House in Delhi, where they talked about economic cooperation, expansion of trade, and regional security. Theirs was also a discussion on furthering people-to-people contacts and seeking areas of cooperation in different sectors.
Luxon had come to India on Sunday and had visited Rajghat earlier in the day to pay his respects to Mahatma Gandhi. He has also welcomed PM Modi on his third term and earlier met him on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit in Laos in October 2024. “There have been a number of high-level interactions between India and New Zealand over the last year.”. PM Luxon telephoned PM Modi on the latter’s election victory to secure his third term as Prime Minister, and PM Modi also had a meeting with PM Luxon on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit in Laos in October 2024,” Mazumdar concluded.
Cultural and Diplomatic Importance of the Gurudwara Visit
The Gurudwara Rakabganj visit was a turning point in Luxon’s tour, a showcase of India’s dedication to religious harmony and cultural diplomacy. The Gurudwara, a centuries-old Sikh temple, carries profound religious significance as it commemorates the place where Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Guru of the Sikhs, was cremated. The attendance of both leaders on the site signaled respect for India’s cultural legacy and principles of inclusiveness and peace.
Looking Ahead
Luxon’s trip is likely to further strengthen India-New Zealand bilateral relations. His activities in India, such as the talks regarding a potential Free Trade Agreement (FTA), point to a sharp drive towards stronger cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, and regional security.
During the course of the visit, the two countries expect to further boost diplomatic and economic relations and establish more cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
