India-New Zealand FTA to be enforced by late October: Commerce secretary
The India-New Zealand free trade agreement is set to commence by late October 2026. This significant deal offers Indian goods duty-free access to New Zealand's marketplace. By the end of December 2025, the two countries reported a trade volume of nearly NZ$3.95 billion. Additionally, New Zealand plans to invest USD 20 billion in India over the next fifteen years, alongside enhanced visa options…
India-New Zealand free trade agreement is set to take effect by late October 2026, according to commerce secretary Rajesh Agrawal. The exact date will be revealed shortly, as both nations need to assess operational details. The pact, signed on April 27, eliminates tariffs on all Indian exports to New Zealand, benefiting sectors like ceramics, carpets, automobiles, and auto components, which currently face up to 10% tariffs in Wellington.
Indian merchandise exports to New Zealand totaled NZ$3.95 billion in the year ending December 2025, with NZ$2.03 billion worth of goods and services flowing the other way. Key Indian exports to New Zealand include travel services, forestry and horticulture products, aluminium, iron and steel, and wool. In 2024, India's services exports to New Zealand rose 13% to US$634 million, driven by travel, IT, and business services.
Overall, India-New Zealand merchandise trade surged from US$855 million in 2015-16 to US$1.298 billion in 2024-25, marking a 130% increase for India and a modest 7.21% rise for imports. New Zealand has pledged USD 20 billion in investment in India over 15 years. The agreement grants India most-favoured nation (MFN) treatment in 139 sectors and introduces a student mobility and post-study work visa arrangement.
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