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India and New Zealand successfully concluded the fourth round of negotiations for their proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) after five days of constructive and forward-looking discussions held in Auckland and Rotorua. The talks, led by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand Minister for Trade Todd McClay, focused on deepening cooperation across trade in goods and services, economic collaboration, and rules of origin.
Key Areas of Discussion
The negotiations covered significant sectors such as agriculture, food processing, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, education, and services. Both countries aimed to enhance trade flows, strengthen investment ties, and bolster resilient and sustainable supply chains.
Strategic Partnership and Economic Growth
Guided by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his New Zealand counterpart, the talks emphasized building a modern, comprehensive, and balanced trade partnership that supports inclusive growth in both economies. India’s bilateral merchandise trade with New Zealand reached USD 1.3 billion in the fiscal year 2024–25, showing a robust year-on-year growth of nearly 49 percent.
Future Prospects and Commitments
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to sustain the momentum through detailed inter-sessional work and continuous engagements across all negotiation chapters. The FTA is poised to unlock new opportunities for businesses and consumers, providing greater market access and predictability.
The ongoing discussions reflect the shared ambition of India and New Zealand to expedite the process towards an early, balanced, and mutually beneficial conclusion of the agreement.
