India-New Zealand FTA kicks in: Zero duty, more opportunities - what's in it for India?
A new Free Trade Agreement between India and New Zealand has officially come into force, granting Indian exporters duty-free access to the New Zealand market. The pact aims to double bilateral trade to NZ$7 billion by 2030 and covers goods, services, and investment.
Why it matters
This agreement significantly expands market access for Indian businesses and strengthens economic ties between the two nations in the Indo-Pacific region.
NEW DELHI: The India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) came into force on Tuesday opening up new opportunities for Indian exporters, manufacturers, farmers, professionals and businesses. The agreement provides 100% duty-free access to the New Zealand market for all Indian export tariff lines, removing peak tariffs of up to 10%.Signed on April 27, 2026, the pact aims to deepen economic ties between the two countries and double bilateral trade in goods and services to NZ$7 billion (Rs 35,000 crore) by 2030. Negotiations were launched on March 16, 2025, and concluded on December 22, 2025, within nine months.The agreement is India's 17th operational FTA and the seventh trade pact to come into force in the past five years. It covers goods, services, investment, agriculture, skills and mobility, while retaining safeguards for sensitive sectors.What's in it for India?1.
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