India and New Zealand Gear Up for Free Trade Agreement Talks

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced his upcoming visit to New Zealand to discuss a proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between the two nations. The formal launch of these talks occurred on March 16, 2025.

Goyal aims to finalize significant negotiations in his forthcoming trip, hoping to propel the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) into the next stage. The third negotiation round concluded on September 19 in Queenstown, New Zealand.

India's bilateral merchandise trade with New Zealand saw a robust 49% increase in 2024-25, totaling USD 1.3 billion. The anticipated FTA is expected to further boost trade, investment linkages, and supply chain resilience. Key issues such as market access and connectivity improvements remain pivotal discussion points.