India–New Zealand FTA Talks Make Strong Progress in Fourth Round

10 Nov 2025 CW Team

The fourth round of negotiations on the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) concluded successfully in Auckland and Rotorua after five days of constructive discussions between the two sides.

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, and New Zealand’s Minister for Trade, Todd McClay, commended the steady progress made during this round and reiterated their commitment to a modern, comprehensive, and future-ready FTA.

Delegations from both countries engaged across key areas such as trade in goods, trade in services, economic cooperation, and rules of origin. The discussions reflected the shared ambition to strengthen economic ties and create a partnership fostering resilient, inclusive, and sustainable growth.

Guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, India remains committed to deepening economic partnerships that promote global prosperity and strengthen supply chains. The proposed FTA aims to enhance trade flows, deepen investment linkages, and provide greater predictability and market access for businesses in both nations.

India’s bilateral merchandise trade with New Zealand reached USD 1.3 billion in FY 2024–25, growing by nearly 49 per cent year-on-year. The agreement is expected to further unlock potential in sectors such as agriculture, food processing, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, education, and services.

Both sides agreed to maintain momentum through inter-sessional work and continue detailed discussions across all chapters to achieve an early, balanced, and mutually beneficial conclusion to the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement.

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