Trade Winds Are Rising: India-New Zealand FTA Talks Gain Momentum

India and New Zealand have successfully wrapped up the fourth round of their Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations held in Auckland from November 3-7, 2025. Led by India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand’s Trade Minister Todd McClay, the talks aim to rapidly finalize a comprehensive bilateral trade deal that promotes balanced economic cooperation.​

Key Highlights:

• The negotiation agenda included goods and services market access, investment opportunities, economic and technical cooperation, and rules of origin to facilitate smoother trade.​
• The ministers expressed optimism about early conclusion reflecting mutual economic interests and strategic alignment, with trade between the nations growing nearly 49% to USD 1.3 billion in 2024-25.​
• Both sides showcased commitment to easing tariffs and enhancing collaboration in sectors such as agri-technology, dairy, education, tourism, sports, gaming, and drone technology.​
• Discussions also touched on potential partnerships in space technology leveraging India’s advancements in lunar missions.​
• The FTA negotiations formally launched in March 2025 build upon a long history of trade talks dating back to 2010, aiming to unlock new economic potentials.​
• During the India visit, New Zealand’s Todd McClay will continue high-level dialogues to ensure swift progress toward ratification.​
• The evolving India-New Zealand FTA stands to benefit businesses and consumers in both countries by reducing trade barriers, expanding services, and fostering innovation-led growth.

Sources:
ThePrint, Economic Times, PIB India, The Hindu BusinessLine, Daily Excelsior, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, CNBC TV18, News On Air.​