2nd round of India-New Zealand FTA negotiations concludes
NEW DELHI : The Second Round of negotiations for the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) concluded successfully on Friday here, further advancing the shared objective of strengthening bilateral trade and economic partnerships.
This development catalyses the shared commitment to deepen economic ties and guidance given by the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi during the visit of the Right Hon’ble Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand in March 2025. The FTA was launched during the meeting between Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal and Hon’ble Mr. Todd McClay, Minister for Trade and Investment, Government of New Zealand on March 16, 2025.
Continuing the momentum generated during the first round held in May 2025 in New Delhi, the second round of negotiations were held from 14th to 25th July 2025. This Round accomplished significant advancement in multiple areas, including Trade in Goods and Services, Investment, Rules of Origin, Customs Procedures and Trade Facilitation, Technical Barriers to Trade, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, and Economic Cooperation. Discussions were marked by mutual interest in achieving early convergence on several texts. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to concluding a balanced, comprehensive, and forward-looking agreement.
The Third Round of negotiations is scheduled to be held in New Zealand in September 2025. The intersessional virtual meetings will maintain the forward trajectory set in the second round.
India’s bilateral merchandise trade with New Zealand reached USD 1.3 billion in FY 2024-25, recording a growth of 48.6% over the previous financial year, signaling the growing potential of the economic partnership. The FTA is expected to enhance trade flows, support investment linkages, promote supply chain resilience, and establish a predictable and enabling environment for businesses in both countries.