PM Modi thanks South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung for India-New Zealand wishes
Synopsis
As Modi touched down in Auckland for the first Indian PM visit to New Zealand in four decades, South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung publicly wished both nations well on X — a small but telling signal of how India’s diplomatic orbit is widening simultaneously across Northeast Asia and the Pacific.
Key Takeaways
PM Modi arrived in Auckland on 10 July for the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand in four decades .
South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung posted wishes for the ‘friendship and progress’ of both India and New Zealand on X, which Modi publicly acknowledged.
New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon personally received Modi at Auckland Airport , a rare diplomatic honour.
Lee had paid a State Visit to India from 19–21 April 2025 — the earliest visit to India by a Korean President after taking office.
Modi is scheduled to address the Indian diaspora in Auckland on Saturday before flying home.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, 10 July thanked South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung for extending warm wishes for the progress and friendship of both India and New Zealand, as Modi arrived in Auckland on the final leg of his three-nation tour — the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand in four decades.
The Exchange on X
The diplomatic gesture unfolded publicly on social media platform X. President Lee posted, “Wishing for the friendship and progress of both India and New Zealand,” while reposting a video of the ceremonial welcome extended to Modi by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at Auckland Airport.
Modi responded directly: “Thank you President Lee Jae-Myung for your kind wishes. Such thoughtful messages from friends are always cherished.” The exchange underscored the warmth in India-South Korea ties, which have deepened considerably since Lee’s State Visit to India from 19–21 April this year — the earliest visit to India by a Korean President after assuming office. That delegation included ministers, senior officials, and leading CEOs of Korean companies.
A Historic Arrival in Auckland
Prime Minister Luxon made a rare personal gesture by travelling to the airport to receive Modi — an honour typically reserved for heads of state visits of the highest significance. The two leaders shared a warm embrace on the tarmac.
Modi described his arrival in Auckland as “historic” in his own X post: “Reached Auckland a short while ago. Thankful to Prime Minister Luxon for the welcome at the airport. This visit is historic, being the first Prime Ministerial visit to New Zealand in four decades. I look forward to holding talks with Prime Minister Luxon and discussing the complete range of the India-NZ friendship. I will also be addressing a community programme tomorrow in Auckland.”
Agenda: Trade, Defence and Diaspora
During the Auckland visit, Modi is scheduled to hold formal bilateral discussions with Luxon, covering the full spectrum of the India-New Zealand relationship, which has seen notable momentum over the past two years, particularly in trade, commerce, and defence. Modi is also set to engage with prominent business and sports personalities.
On Saturday, he will address a large gathering of the Indian diaspora in Auckland before departing for India, rounding off the three-nation tour.
Context: India’s Expanding Pacific Engagement
The New Zealand leg follows stops in two other nations as part of Modi’s broader outreach. The visit is being read as a signal of India’s intent to deepen engagement with the Pacific region, where strategic competition has intensified in recent years. Notably, the last Indian Prime Minister to visit New Zealand was over four decades ago, making this trip a diplomatic milestone by any measure. The trilateral goodwill visible in the Lee-Modi exchange adds a multilateral dimension to what is formally a bilateral visit.
Point of View
But it points to something structurally significant: South Korea’s new administration is actively signalling alignment with India even when the occasion is a bilateral visit to a third country. Lee’s April State Visit to New Delhi — the earliest by a Korean President after assuming office — was already a marker of prioritisation. The fact that he chose to publicly amplify Modi’s New Zealand arrival suggests Seoul is investing in the optics of India partnership, not just the substance. For New Delhi, the convergence of Pacific outreach and Northeast Asian goodwill in a single tour is a quiet but deliberate piece of its multi-alignment strategy.
NationPress
10 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung wish India and New Zealand well?
Lee Jae-Myung posted wishes for the friendship and progress of both India and New Zealand on X while reposting a video of PM Modi’s welcome in Auckland. The gesture reflects the strong bilateral ties established during his State Visit to India in April 2025, the earliest such visit by a Korean President after taking office.
Why is PM Modi’s New Zealand visit considered historic?
It is the first visit to New Zealand by an Indian Prime Minister in four decades, making it a landmark in India-New Zealand diplomatic relations. Modi himself described the trip as ‘historic’ upon arriving in Auckland on 10 July.
What is on PM Modi’s agenda in Auckland?
Modi is scheduled to hold formal bilateral talks with New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon covering trade, commerce, and defence. He will also meet business and sports personalities and address a large Indian diaspora gathering in Auckland on Saturday before returning to India.
When did South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung visit India?
Lee Jae-Myung visited India from 19 to 21 April 2025 on a State Visit, accompanied by ministers, senior officials, and leading Korean corporate CEOs. It was the earliest visit to India by a Korean President after assuming office.
How did New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon receive PM Modi?
Luxon personally travelled to Auckland Airport to receive Modi upon his arrival — a rare and significant diplomatic gesture. The two leaders greeted each other with a warm embrace on the tarmac.
