More Stories

Informist, Monday, Apr. 27, 2026

 

Please click here to read all liners published on this story

--India, New Zealand sign FTA
--New Zealand minister: Hope to implement FTA with India by end of this yr
--Trade minister: Look forward to $20 bln investment by New Zealand under FTA 
--New Zealand minister: Signing India FTA in backdrop of global instability 
--New Zealand: Look forward to cooperation with India to implement FTA soon 
--New Zealand minister:Have majority in Parliament to smoothly pass India FTA 
--Goyal:To soon have 9 trade deals with 38 developed nations post US, EU deals
--PM Modi: Will build competitively-priced goods, svcs post New Zealand FTA 
--PM Modi: New Zealand FTA reaffirms commitment to deepen bilateral ties 
--PM Modi:New Zealand FTA gives opportunities to entrepreneurs, women, MSMEs 
--PM Modi: New Zealand FTA gives opportunities to farmers, artisans, youth 
--PM Modi: New Zealand FTA marks milestone towards shared prosperity 
--PM Modi: New Zealand FTA marks milestone towards deeper global engagement 
 

 

NEW DELHI - India and New Zealand signed a free trade agreement on Monday. The agreement was signed by India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand's Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay. The two sides have signed the deal in the backdrop of global instability, McClay, who is in Delhi for the signing, said.  

 

The two nations had concluded the deal in December last year and aim to implement it by the end of this year, McClay said, adding that the New Zealand National Party has a majority in Parliament, and they should be able to pass the deal smoothly. For India, the ratification process for FTAs entails inter-ministerial consultations and Cabinet approval rather than mandatory parliamentary approval.

 

Under the trade deal, New Zealand has committed to zero-duty market access for all Indian goods. This trade deal is an important milestone in India's engagement with developed nations, Goyal said. New Delhi aims to sign trade deals with the US and the European Union soon, after which India will have nine trade deals with 38 developed nations, Goyal said.

 

New Zealand has also committed to invest $20 billion in India over the next 15 years under the agreement. India is looking forward to the investment, Goyal said. To ensure foreign direct investment from New Zealand, the trade deal also includes a provision allowing India to withdraw certain benefits under the FTA if it fails to fulfil its investment commitments. 

 

New Delhi has committed to cutting tariffs on 95% of goods from New Zealand. But India has excluded sensitive sectors like dairy and key agricultural products - milk, cream, cheese, yoghurts, whey, caseins, coffee, onions, sugar, spices, edible oils, and rubber – from market access under the trade deal. Both sides have treated each other's sensitive sectors with mutual respect under the trade pact, Goyal said. India exported goods worth $651.78 million to New Zealand in 2025, with a trade surplus of $75.89 million.  

 

The India-New Zealand FTA, negotiations for which began in March 2025, is New Delhi's fastest concluding trade deal. "It was only 13 months ago that I travelled to India to meet with Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi and launch Free Trade Agreement negotiations," New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said in a post on X after the signing of the deal.

 

"This agreement will greatly benefit our farmers, youth, women, micro, small and medium enterprises, artisans, startups, students and innovators," Modi said in a post on X. "It will open new avenues for growth, create opportunities and deepen our synergy across sectors. The investment commitment of $20 billion by New Zealand will further strengthen our cooperation in agriculture, manufacturing, innovation and technology, paving the way for a more prosperous and dynamic future for both countries."

 

For New Zealand, this FTA opens the door to one of the world's most dynamic markets and creates unprecedented opportunities to trade, invest, innovate and connect, Luxon said. "This deal will help diversify New Zealand's export markets, support the goal of doubling the value of our exports over 10 years, and put New Zealand exporters on a more level playing field with competitors already enjoying preferential access in India," Luxon added.  End

 

US$1 = INR 94.19

 

Reported by Krity Ambey

Edited by Saji George Titus

 

For users of real-time market data terminals, Informist news is available exclusively on the NSE Cogencis WorkStation.

 

Cogencis news is now Informist news. This follows the acquisition of Cogencis Information Services Ltd. by NSE Data & Analytics Ltd., a 100% subsidiary of the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd. As a part of the transaction, the news department of Cogencis has been sold to Informist Media Pvt. Ltd.

 

Informist Media Tel +91 (11) 4220-1000

Send comments to feedback@informistmedia.com

 

© Informist Media Pvt. Ltd. 2026. All rights reserved.