Tribune India - 26 April 2026
India, New Zealand to sign FTA today - The Tribune
By Ujwal Jalali
India and New Zealand are set to sign a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Monday, with Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal describing the pact as a “transformational” step that will unlock near-total duty-free access for Indian exports to the Pacific nation.
Speaking after the final rounds of negotiations with his New Zealand counterpart Todd McClay, Goyal said the agreement had been concluded following sustained high-level engagement between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon.
“Almost 100 per cent of India’s exports to New Zealand will be able to reach there duty-free,” Goyal said, adding that the pact would quickly become a key instrument in expanding bilateral trade within months of its implementation.
Highlighting sector-specific gains, the minister said labour-intensive industries such as leather, handloom and handicrafts, particularly from hubs such as Agra, stood to benefit significantly from improved market access and lower tariff barriers.
The FTA is expected to reduce trade barriers across goods and services, improve market access and create new opportunities for businesses on both sides.
Officials said the agreement would not only boost bilateral trade volumes but also stimulate investment flows and job creation.
Once signed, the agreement is expected to inject fresh momentum into bilateral ties, with policymakers betting on sustained gains across sectors ranging from manufacturing and agriculture to technology and services.
