PM Modi departs for New Zealand after Australia visit, first PM trip in 40 years
Synopsis
PM Modi's Melbourne departure for New Zealand is more than a transit — it is the first Indian Prime Ministerial visit to New Zealand in 40 years. Coming off a summit that produced MoUs spanning nuclear energy to skilling, the back-to-back Pacific swing signals a deliberate Indo-Pacific outreach that goes well beyond traditional bilateral optics.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi departed Melbourne for New Zealand on 10 July after a three-day Australia visit .
Modi and PM Albanese launched the India-Australia Sports Collaboration Roadmap at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) .
The third Australia-India Annual Summit produced MoUs on defence, maritime security, nuclear energy, critical technology, education, and skilling .
Modi also met Opposition Leader Angus Taylor , Governor-General Sam Mostyn , Victoria Governor Margaret Gardner AC , and former PM Scott Morrison .
The New Zealand leg will be the first official visit by an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand in 40 years , with talks scheduled with PM Christopher Luxon .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed Melbourne for New Zealand on Friday, 10 July, after wrapping up a packed three-day official visit to Australia — one that produced a defence-to-cricket sweep of agreements and set the stage for the first Indian Prime Minister's visit to New Zealand in 40 years.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Australia's High Commissioner to India Philip Green, and other senior officials were present at the airport to see off the Prime Minister.
MCG Visit and Sports Collaboration Roadmap
Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Modi and his Australian counterpart Prime Minister Anthony Albanese jointly launched the India-Australia Sports Collaboration Roadmap at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The initiative marks a formal expansion of bilateral cooperation across sports, sports science, and sporting infrastructure.
The event was attended by Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and several Australian sporting legends, including Steve Waugh and Lisa Sthalekar. Posting on X after the visit, Prime Minister Modi wrote: 'Wonderful to visit the Melbourne Cricket Ground with PM Albanese. The passion for sport continues to bring the people of India and Australia closer.'
Bilateral Meetings and the Australia-India Annual Summit
The centrepiece of the Australia leg was the third Australia-India Annual Summit, held on Thursday, where both leaders reviewed progress across trade and investment, critical minerals, clean energy, technology, defence and security, education, skills, mobility, science, innovation, culture, and people-to-people ties.
'The Summit witnessed finalisation of several MoUs in areas including defence, maritime security, energy including nuclear, critical technology, education, skilling among others,' Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
Beyond the summit, Prime Minister Modi held bilateral talks with PM Albanese, met Governor-General Sam Mostyn and Victoria Governor Margaret Gardner AC, attended the Australia-India CEO Forum, participated in an Indian community reception in Melbourne, and met former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Modi also held talks with Angus Taylor, Leader of the Opposition of Australia. 'We had an engaging conversation on the growing strength of India-Australia ties and the many opportunities ahead. I deeply value the warmth and broad support that our partnership enjoys across Australia,' Modi posted on X.
Reaffirming the Indo-Pacific Vision
Both leaders exchanged views on regional and global developments, reaffirming their commitment to a free, open, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. The breadth of MoUs signed — spanning nuclear energy to skilling — signals that the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is moving from declaration to delivery.
What Awaits in New Zealand
Prime Minister Modi is now headed to New Zealand for a two-day visit, where he is scheduled to hold talks with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. This will be the first official visit by an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand in 40 years — a milestone that underlines the renewed momentum in India's engagement with the Pacific. During the visit, Modi is expected to meet prominent business and sports personalities and address a large gathering of the Indian diaspora.
Point of View
Particularly on nuclear energy and critical technology, reflect a relationship that has quietly outpaced its public billing. The real test, however, is execution: past India-Australia summits have produced long lists of agreements with uneven follow-through. The 40-year gap since an Indian PM last visited New Zealand also raises a question mainstream coverage tends to skip — why so long, and what changed? The answer lies partly in India's recalibrated Indo-Pacific strategy and partly in Wellington's own pivot toward New Delhi as a counterweight to regional uncertainty.
NationPress
10 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is PM Modi's New Zealand visit historically significant?
This is the first official visit by an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand in 40 years, making it a landmark moment in bilateral relations. Modi is scheduled to meet New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and address the Indian diaspora during the two-day trip.
What was agreed at the Australia-India Annual Summit?
The third Australia-India Annual Summit, held on Thursday in Melbourne, resulted in the finalisation of several MoUs covering defence, maritime security, energy including nuclear, critical technology, education, and skilling, according to MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
What is the India-Australia Sports Collaboration Roadmap?
It is a bilateral framework jointly launched by PM Modi and PM Albanese at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 10 July, aimed at expanding cooperation in sports, sports science, and sporting infrastructure between India and Australia.
Who did PM Modi meet during his Australia visit?
During the three-day visit, Modi met PM Anthony Albanese, Opposition Leader Angus Taylor, Governor-General Sam Mostyn, Victoria Governor Margaret Gardner AC, former PM Scott Morrison, and attended the Australia-India CEO Forum and an Indian community reception in Melbourne.
What will PM Modi do in New Zealand?
Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, meet prominent business and sports personalities, and address a large gathering of the Indian diaspora during his two-day visit.
