India and New Zealand Conclude Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement

The India–New Zealand FTA, concluded after intensive negotiations, marks one of India’s fastest-concluded trade agreements. The deal eliminates tariffs on 100% of Indian exports, benefiting labor-intensive sectors including textiles, leather, marine products, handicrafts, engineering goods, and automobiles, and supporting MSMEs, artisans, women, and youth.

The agreement delivers New Zealand’s most ambitious services commitments to date, opening opportunities across IT, education, financial services, tourism, construction, and professional services. It also introduces improved mobility provisions, including a Temporary Employment Entry Visa for 5,000 Indian professionals across high-demand sectors such as IT, engineering, healthcare, education, AYUSH, yoga instruction, and culinary arts.

Agricultural cooperation under the FTA focuses on kiwifruit, apples, and honey, with initiatives to enhance productivity, research, quality standards, and income growth for Indian farmers. Investments are set to reach USD 20 billion over 15 years, strengthening manufacturing, infrastructure, services, and innovation. Regulatory facilitation in pharmaceuticals and medical devices, protection of geographical indications, and promotion of AYUSH systems further broaden trade and people-to-people ties.

With total bilateral trade in goods and services reaching USD 2.4 billion in 2024, the FTA establishes a robust, predictable framework to expand trade, services, investment, and skilled workforce mobility, reinforcing India’s strategic engagement with the Indo-Pacific region.