India and New Zealand Forge Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement to Boost Economic Ties
India and New Zealand have finalized a landmark free trade agreement (FTA), marking a strategic milestone in India's Indo-Pacific vision. The deal, concluded after rapid negotiations initiated in March 2025, prioritizes trade liberalization, services access, and investment integration. It aims to catalyze growth in labor-intensive sectors, MSMEs, and employment for women and youth through duty-free exports.
The FTA enhances bilateral resilience with commitments in agri-tech, pharmaceuticals, and skills mobility, while expanding people-to-people ties via streamlined visa protocols. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has positioned this as one of India's fastest-executed trade deals, reinforcing its economic footprint in the Pacific region.
