Modi Wraps Up Australia Tour, Begins New Zealand Visit with Warm Welcome from Luxon

Prime Minister Narendra Modi capped his three-day visit to Australia on Friday with a series of engagements in Melbourne before flying to Auckland , where he received a warm welcome from New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on the final leg of his three-nation Indo-Pacific tour.

In Melbourne, Modi began the day by meeting Australia's Opposition Leader Angus Taylor . The Ministry of External Affairs described the talks as productive discussions on the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership , while spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the meeting reflected strong bipartisan support in Australia for strengthening ties with India.

Modi later joined Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to launch the India-Australia Sports Collaboration Roadmap. Th e initiative aims to deepen cooperation in training, sports science and technology as India prepares for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and Australia for the 2032 Olympic Games . Cricket greats Steve Waugh and Lisa Sthalekar attended the event, and the Australian Football League announced plans to expand its presence in India, where participation has reportedly grown from around 150 players to 10,000 within a few years.

During the summit, CSIR signed an agreement with IP Australia granting access to the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library . The two countries also concluded 18 agreements covering areas such as defence, energy, education and cultural cooperation. Several Australian newspapers prominently featured Modi's visit on their front pages.

Modi then departed for Auckland, marking the first visit by an Indian prime minister to New Zealand in 40 years , since Rajiv Gandhi's 1986 trip . Luxon personally received him at the airport, and the two leaders shared a hug in a gesture widely viewed as a sign of close ties. India's High Commissioner Muanpuii Saiawi was also present, while Luxon posted a welcome video on X.

The visit now moves into its substantive phase, with Modi and Luxon set to hold formal bilateral talks on Saturday focusing on trade, investment, defence, technology and supply-chain cooperation. The discussions come against the backdrop of the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement signed in April , under which 57 per cent of New Zealand's exports to India became tariff-free immediately. Modi is also expected to meet business leaders and address the Indian diaspora before concluding his six-day, three-nation tour.