India, New Zealand Wrap up FTA Talks on Financial Services

25 Dec 2025 CW Team

The Financial Services Annex is designed to create a forward-looking and mutually beneficial framework that enhances market access, regulatory cooperation and institutional linkages between the two countries. Expanding beyond standard World Trade Organization commitments under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), the annex comprises 18 articles covering a wide range of contemporary financial services issues.

A major focus of the agreement is collaboration on electronic payments and real-time transaction infrastructure. Both sides have committed to working towards domestic payments interoperability and facilitating real-time cross-border remittances and merchant payments through integrated fast payment systems. This is expected to strengthen India’s digital payments ecosystem, support fintech innovation and open new opportunities for Indian payment service providers.

The annex also places strong emphasis on financial technology and regulatory innovation. Provisions encourage cooperation between the two countries’ regulatory and digital sandbox frameworks, enabling knowledge exchange and cross-border experimentation while positioning India as a fintech hub within the partnership.

In addition, the agreement addresses the transfer and protection of financial information, balancing cross-border digital operations with regulatory control over data sovereignty and consumer privacy. Commitments on non-discriminatory credit rating practices aim to ensure fair treatment for Indian financial institutions operating in New Zealand.

Market access commitments include enhanced foreign direct investment limits in banking and insurance, along with a liberalised bank branch licensing regime allowing up to 15 branches over four years, an increase from earlier GATS offers. Together, these measures are expected to catalyse greater bilateral investment, expand institutional presence and deepen integration between the two financial systems.

India and New Zealand have concluded negotiations on the Financial Services Annex of the proposed India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA), marking a key step in strengthening bilateral economic and strategic ties. The talks were wrapped up on December 22, 2025, with the final round of negotiations held earlier on December 10.The Financial Services Annex is designed to create a forward-looking and mutually beneficial framework that enhances market access, regulatory cooperation and institutional linkages between the two countries. Expanding beyond standard World Trade Organization commitments under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), the annex comprises 18 articles covering a wide range of contemporary financial services issues.A major focus of the agreement is collaboration on electronic payments and real-time transaction infrastructure. Both sides have committed to working towards domestic payments interoperability and facilitating real-time cross-border remittances and merchant payments through integrated fast payment systems. This is expected to strengthen India’s digital payments ecosystem, support fintech innovation and open new opportunities for Indian payment service providers.The annex also places strong emphasis on financial technology and regulatory innovation. Provisions encourage cooperation between the two countries’ regulatory and digital sandbox frameworks, enabling knowledge exchange and cross-border experimentation while positioning India as a fintech hub within the partnership.In addition, the agreement addresses the transfer and protection of financial information, balancing cross-border digital operations with regulatory control over data sovereignty and consumer privacy. Commitments on non-discriminatory credit rating practices aim to ensure fair treatment for Indian financial institutions operating in New Zealand.Market access commitments include enhanced foreign direct investment limits in banking and insurance, along with a liberalised bank branch licensing regime allowing up to 15 branches over four years, an increase from earlier GATS offers. Together, these measures are expected to catalyse greater bilateral investment, expand institutional presence and deepen integration between the two financial systems.

Infrastructure Urban

16 Jan 2026

Rosatom Delivers Nuclear Fuel for Kudankulam Unit 3

Rosatom has recently supplied nuclear fuel for the initial loading of the VVER-1000 reactor core at Unit 3 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, marking a key milestone in the second stage of the Russian-designed nuclear power project in southern India.The fuel was supplied by Rosatom’s Nuclear Fuel Division, managed by TVEL, and manufactured at the Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant. The delivery includes the initial reactor load along with reserve fuel assemblies and is part of a long-term contract covering the entire operational life of Units 3 and 4.Building on operational experien..

Infrastructure Transport

16 Jan 2026

CBL International Enables First LNG Bunkering at Xiaomo Port

CBL International recently completed the first-ever LNG bunkering operation at Xiaomo Port, supplying liquefied natural gas to vessels operated by BYD in support of its maritime decarbonisation strategy. The operation was facilitated through a physical supplier in collaboration with China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), which supported the port’s inaugural LNG bunkering activity. The milestone represents a strategic expansion of CBL International's sustainable fuel offerings beyond biofuels, while also diversifying revenue streams. As global shipping intensifies efforts to cut em..

Infrastructure Urban

16 Jan 2026

Aimtron, Aurassure Partner for IoT Weather Systems

Aimtron Electronics has recently entered into an OEM manufacturing engagement with Aurassure to produce new-age, IoT-enabled weather and environmental monitoring systems in India. The collaboration supports the growing demand for real-time environmental intelligence across urban, industrial and infrastructure applications. The engagement comes as global focus on climate-risk management and data-driven planning accelerates. The global weather monitoring systems market, valued at around USD 2.1 billion in 2024, is projected to reach nearly USD 4.8 billion by 2034, driven by the rapid adoption o..