NEW DELHI: India and New Zealand have concluded the fourth round of negotiations on their proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA), marking a step forward towards a comprehensive and balanced trade partnership. The week-long talks were held in Auckland and Rotorua from November 3 to 8, 2025, and were described as constructive and forward-looking by both sides.
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and New Zealand’s Minister for Trade Todd McClay welcomed the steady progress achieved during this round, reaffirming their shared resolve to work towards a modern, inclusive, and mutually beneficial trade pact.
Delegations from both nations engaged in detailed discussions across several key areas, including trade in goods, services, investment, economic cooperation, and rules of origin. The talks reflected a shared ambition to build a resilient and sustainable partnership that supports global supply chain stability and economic growth.
Guided by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India emphasized its commitment to forging deeper economic ties that promote global prosperity and enhance supply chain resilience. The proposed FTA is expected to expand trade flows, deepen investment linkages, and provide greater predictability and market access for industries in both countries.
India’s bilateral merchandise trade with New Zealand reached USD 1.3 billion in FY 2024–25, representing a 49 percent year-on-year increase. Officials noted that the FTA has the potential to unlock new opportunities in agriculture, food processing, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, education, and services.
Both sides agreed to maintain the negotiation momentum through inter-sessional engagements and continue detailed discussions across all chapters with the goal of reaching early convergence.
The conclusion of the fourth round underscores the growing strategic and economic convergence between India and New Zealand and signals a mutual commitment to an early, balanced, and comprehensive trade agreement that benefits businesses and consumers on both sides.
