FCC

India and New Zealand Conclude Second Round of FTA Talks

2025-07-28

India and New Zealand have successfully concluded the second round of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in New Delhi. The discussions focused on trade in goods and services, investment, rules of origin, customs procedures, technical barriers to trade, and economic cooperation.

The FTA was launched in March 2025 during the meeting between Union Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay. The talks follow the first round held in May 2025 in New Delhi.

Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to concluding a comprehensive and balanced FTA at the earliest. The third round of negotiations will take place in New Zealand in September 2025, with virtual meetings planned in the interim to maintain momentum.

India’s bilateral merchandise trade with New Zealand touched USD 1.3 billion in FY 2024-25, marking a 48.6 per cent increase over the previous year, underscoring the partnership’s potential to strengthen trade flows and supply chain resilience.