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New Zealand's Parliament passed the legislation to implement the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement on 16 September 2026, by 93 votes to 29.
The FTA was signed in New Delhi on 27 April 2026, after negotiations launched on 16 March 2025 were concluded on 22 December 2025 — about nine months.
India gets duty-free access for 100% of its exports to New Zealand; tariffs on about 95% of New Zealand's exports to India are eliminated or reduced.
India fully excluded dairy (milk, cheese, butter), sugar, edible oils and spices; New Zealand committed USD 20 billion of investment in India over 15 years.
The pact is expected to enter into force once India completes its domestic ratification.
| Aspect | India | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Market access granted | Tariffs cut/eliminated on ~95% of NZ exports | Duty-free access for 100% of Indian exports |
| Protected / excluded | Dairy (milk, cheese, butter), sugar, edible oils, spices, key vegetables — 29.97% of lines excluded | — |
| Tariff-rate quotas | Apply to NZ Manuka honey, apples, kiwifruit and albumins | — |
| Mobility | Receives 5,000 TEE visas + 1,000 working holiday visas a year | Grants the visas in skill-shortage sectors (IT, engineering, healthcare, construction) |
| Investment | Receives USD 20 billion over 15 years | Commits the investment |
| Agri cooperation | Action plans and Centres of Excellence for kiwifruit, apples and honey | Provides technical support and planting material |
India-New Zealand FTA negotiations formally launched
Negotiations concluded after five formal rounds
FTA signed in New Delhi by Piyush Goyal and Todd McClay
New Zealand Parliament passes the implementing legislation, 93-29
Entry into force after India completes domestic ratification
GS Paper 2 > Bilateral agreements involving India; GS Paper 3 > Effects of trade policy
General Awareness > Current Affairs (Agreements)
General Awareness > Economy & Trade
'Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA)' is sometimes seen in the news in the context of negotiations held between India and
Answer: European Union
Pact under which partners remove or reduce tariffs on substantially all trade between them
A lower tariff applies only up to a fixed import volume; imports above it pay the higher rate
Tariff lines on which a party gives no tariff concession at all — dairy in India's case
New visa category under the FTA for up to 5,000 Indian professionals a year, for up to 3 years