Auckland, July 3 -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make his first official visit to New Zealand next week, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced.

"Prime Minister Modi's visit is historic, with this being the first to New Zealand by an Indian Prime Minister in 40 years," Luxon says.

"India is one of the world's largest and fastest-growing economies, and a country of enormous importance to New Zealand's prosperity. We are taking the two countries' relationship to the next level with our New Zealand-India Free Trade Agreement, signed in April, which will deliver more jobs, higher exports and stronger economic growth for New Zealand", he said.

"It will reduce or eliminate tariffs on 95 per cent of New Zealand's exports t...