India and New Zealand sign historic women led free trade agreement

NEW DELHI, APRIL 27: Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal announced today that India and New Zealand have officially signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement.

Shared via social media, the minister highlighted that this agreement, developed under the leadership of Narendra Modi and Christopher Luxon, marks the first women-led FTA for India and serves as a significant milestone in the economic relationship between the two nations.

The negotiations were successfully concluded in a record nine months through the collaborative efforts of New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay and both countries’ negotiating teams.

The agreement reflects a deep mutual trust and a shared commitment to regional prosperity. It provides 100% duty-free access for Indian exports to New Zealand, creating substantial opportunities for farmers, MSMEs, professionals, and various job-creating sectors while maintaining a balanced framework to protect sensitive domestic interests.

This forward-looking partnership is expected to facilitate $20 billion in investment into India, enhancing cooperation across trade, services, innovation, and education. It also establishes new pathways for students and skilled talent mobility.

Described as a win-win partnership, the agreement aligns with the vision of Viksit Bharat and sets a high benchmark for inclusive and trusted global economic cooperation.