The much-awaited Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and New Zealand will be signed on April 27. Announcing this on Friday (April 24), New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said that this agreement will give a new direction to the economic relations between the two countries.
This agreement, which was drafted in just nine months after negotiations started in March 2025, is considered to be one of India’s fastest concluded trade agreements. Narendra Modi and Christopher Luxon have called it comprehensive, balanced and future-oriented.
We’ll sign our Free Trade Agreement with India on Monday. pic.twitter.com/PSB5YkwRon
— Christopher Luxon (@chrisluxonmp) April 24, 2026
The main objective of this agreement is to increase bilateral trade to $5 billion in the next five years. Under this, Indian products will get completely duty-free access to the New Zealand market. At the same time, India will eliminate or reduce duties on about 95 percent of New Zealand’s exports.
Products coming from New Zealand under the agreement include goods such as wool, coal, timber, wine, avocados and blueberries. At the same time, keeping in mind the interests of its domestic farmers and industries, India has not given any duty concession on dairy products like milk, cream, curd, cheese including onion, sugar, spices, edible oil and rubber.
With this agreement, there is a possibility of investment of about 20 billion dollars in India in the next 15 years. Additionally, New Zealand will also receive duty-free access to sheep meat, wool, coal and forestry products.
Important provisions have also been made under this agreement in the fields of education and employment. There will be no numerical limit on opportunities for Indian students to study in New Zealand. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) graduates will get a post-study work visa for up to three years and PhD holders for up to four years.
Additionally, Temporary Employment Entry Visas will be arranged for 5,000 Indian professionals, which will include experts in the IT, engineering, health, education and construction sectors. Special categories have also been created for AYUSH practitioners, yoga instructors, chefs and music teachers.
1,000 Work and Holiday Visas will also be issued every year, which will encourage movement of people between the two countries. According to experts, this agreement can take cooperation between India and New Zealand in the areas of trade, investment, education and employment to new heights.
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