New Zealand PM’s Welcome for Modi Wins Praise From South Korean President

South Korean President’s Gesture Adds Diplomatic Warmth to PM Modi’s New Zealand Visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival in New Zealand on Friday was marked by a warm welcome from his counterpart Christopher Luxon, but it was an unexpected gesture from South Korean President Lee Jae-myung that drew attention on social media.

After Luxon welcomed Modi with a post on X, President Lee reposted the message and extended his own wishes for stronger ties between India and New Zealand.

“Wishing for the friendship and progress of both India and New Zealand,” Lee wrote while sharing the New Zealand Prime Minister’s post.

The message prompted a response from Prime Minister Modi, who thanked the South Korean leader for his wishes.

“Thank you President Lee Jae-myung for your kind wishes. Such thoughtful messages from friends are always cherished,” Modi wrote on X.

Luxon Welcomes Modi to New Zealand

Earlier, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon welcomed Modi with a brief message on X, writing:

“Welcome to New Zealand, Prime Minister @narendramodi.”

The post included a video of Modi arriving in Auckland, where the two leaders greeted each other warmly with an embrace.

First Visit by an Indian PM in Over Four Decades

Modi’s visit marks the first by an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand in more than 40 years. The two-day trip, undertaken at Luxon’s invitation, is expected to focus on expanding cooperation in trade, investment, education, technology, defence and people-to-people ties.

The visit also comes months after India and New Zealand signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in April, aimed at boosting bilateral trade in goods and services while enhancing investment and workforce mobility between the two countries.

The exchange of messages between the leaders of India, New Zealand and South Korea added a symbolic diplomatic touch to Modi’s visit, highlighting the growing engagement among Indo-Pacific partners.