India, New Zealand Sign Landmark Free Trade Agreement
New Delhi:
Port Wings News Network:
India and New Zealand on 27 April 2026 signed the India- New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (IN- NZ FTA) at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, under the vision and leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to strengthen India’s global economic partnerships.
The Agreement was signed by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and New Zealand’s Minister for Trade and Investment Todd McClay.
The signing ceremony brought together businesses and industry leaders from both countries, with Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay leading a cross-party delegation of Members of Parliament and over 30 New Zealand businesses.
The signing of the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement marks a new and significant chapter in the bilateral relationship, reflecting shared ambition, deepening engagement, and a commitment to mutually beneficial growth said McClay.
In a message on the signing of the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, Prime Minister of New Zealand Mr. Christopher Luxon termed it a historic milestone, noting that the deal unlocks major opportunities for trade, investment, and innovation for both countries. He highlighted that it will expand market access, support export growth, and enable collaboration in areas like agriculture, while also reinforcing a shared commitment to stable, rules-based trade and deeper people-to-people ties.
Speaking on the occasion, McClay, noted that the agreement is a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity that will create new avenues for exporters, generate employment, and unlock significant economic potential. It is expected to not only strengthen existing business ties but also accelerate the development of new partnerships, enhancing overall economic engagement between the two countries.
Highlighting the strong participation from New Zealand, he informed that over 40 representatives, including exporters, sector leaders, and business stakeholders, travelled to India to witness the occasion, underlining the importance attached to the agreement.
The agreement is expected to facilitate increased trade and investment flows by improving market access, reducing barriers, and establishing clear and predictable rules. It will support businesses of all sizes, including small and medium enterprises, ensuring wider distribution of the benefits of trade.
The Minister also underscored the role of people-to-people connections as a key pillar of the bilateral relationship. He noted that around 6% of New Zealand’s population traces its heritage to India, with the Indian diaspora contributing significantly across sectors such as business, education, science, culture, sport, and public life.
He further highlighted the longstanding historical and cultural linkages between the two nations, including shared military history during the First World War and enduring sporting ties, particularly in cricket, which continues to strengthen bilateral engagement.
The agreement comes at a time of evolving global and regional dynamics, where reliable partnerships are increasingly important. New Zealand views India as a key partner in promoting regional stability, economic resilience, and shared prosperity.
Acknowledging India’s rapid economic transformation, the Minister noted its growing role in global economic activity and reiterated New Zealand’s commitment to partnering with India in its development journey.
The Minister expressed appreciation for the professionalism and dedication of officials involved in the negotiations, stating that the agreement reflects a balanced, forward-looking, and practical outcome. Both sides will now work closely towards effective implementation and delivery of the agreement.
Concluding his remarks, the Minister thanked the leadership of both countries for their vision and commitment, stating that the agreement is grounded in mutual respect, shared interests, and a clear ambition to further strengthen ties in the years ahead.
Speaking on the Signing, Piyush Goyal said: “The India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement marks a defining milestone in India’s engagement with the developed world. It reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of global economic partnerships for our farmers, women, youth, artisans and entrepreneurs. This is India’s 9th Agreement in the past few years- with 38 developed countries. At the heart of the agreement is the empowerment for exports, agricultural productivity, student mobility, skills, investment and services. The investment commitment of USD 20 billion from New Zealand signals strong confidence in India’s growth story. It places special emphasis on strengthening MSMEs, fostering innovation, and enabling women-led enterprises to thrive in global markets”
In a message Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, said that “The India–New Zealand FTA marks a new era in our economic partnership, one marked by trust and complementary strengths. India now has a level playing field for exports to New Zealand. The FTA broadens its scope to agriculture productivity, organics, services, mobility, Ayush, and pharma access making the opportunities all-inclusive and future-oriented. The agreement gives a strong competitive push to India’s labour-intensive sectors. India’s exporters now have zero-duty access to New Zealand and the broader regional trade ecosystem. Indian exporters can operate with greater scale, and diversification in the Indo-Pacific. The deal offers predictability in today’s uncertain world.”
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