The North News
New Delhi, November 8
India and New Zealand concluded the fourth round of negotiations on their proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) after five days of discussions in Auckland and Rotorua, marking what both sides described as “constructive and forward-looking” progress. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand’s Minister for Trade Todd McClay said the talks reflected a shared ambition to establish a modern, comprehensive, and future-ready trade pact. Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to conclude the agreement at the earliest.
Negotiations covered key areas including trade in goods and services, economic cooperation, and rules of origin. Officials said the discussions were aimed at strengthening bilateral economic ties and ensuring that the FTA supports resilient, inclusive, and sustainable growth. India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been seeking to deepen economic engagement with key trading partners to secure supply chains and promote global prosperity. The proposed FTA, both sides said, would help expand trade flows, enhance investment opportunities, and improve market access for businesses in both countries.
India’s bilateral trade in goods with New Zealand reached USD 1.3 billion in FY 2024–25, recording an annual growth of nearly 49%. The proposed agreement is expected to open up new opportunities in agriculture, food processing, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, education, and services, while boosting investor confidence and collaboration between enterprises.
Both delegations agreed to maintain momentum through inter-sessional discussions and continue technical work across all chapters of the proposed agreement. Officials said the aim is to reach “early convergence” on a balanced and mutually beneficial deal.
The FTA, once finalised, is expected to strengthen supply-chain resilience, promote sustainable economic growth, and reinforce India’s growing trade presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
