India-New Zealand FTA Deal: India-New Zealand Free Trade Deal i.e. FTA has got the approval of the New Zealand Parliament. On 16 September 2026, the legislation implementing the India-New Zealand FTA was passed by the New Zealand Parliament by a vote of 93-29. The opposition Labor Party also voted in its support. With its passing from the New Zealand Parliament, the way has been cleared for the implementation of the India-New Zealand FTA deal. India-New Zealand FTA deal may come into effect in October. With its implementation, tariffs on 95% exports will be eliminated. Let us tell you that the free trade deal between India and New Zealand was signed in New Delhi on 27 April 2026.
New Zealand's Trade and Investment Minister Todd McLay said that once the agreement is fully implemented, tariffs on about 95 percent of New Zealand's existing exports to India will be eliminated. Once the agreement comes into effect, duties on about 57 percent of New Zealand exports will be eliminated. With the implementation of FTA, 57 percent of New Zealand's exports will get duty-free entry into India.
According to New Zealand's official document, in the long run about 82 percent of exports will become completely duty free. Whereas there will be a big reduction in tariff on the remaining 13 percent exports. This will affect many major products of New Zealand. Especially the exports related to wood and forestry will get big benefit in the initial phase itself. The agreement also provides for various tariff concessions and quotas for apples, kiwifruit, sheep meat, wool, coal and marine products.
India will get 100 percent duty-free access to New Zealand
According to the Government of India, under the FTA, a provision has been made for 100 percent duty-free market access in New Zealand for Indian exports. This is expected to benefit labor intensive sectors like textiles, clothing, leather, footwear, gems and jewellery, engineering goods and processed foods. However, India has not completely opened its market to all New Zealand products. India has kept many sensitive sectors including dairy and some agricultural products out of the trade deal.
Promise of 20 billion NZ dollar investment in India
Investment has also been given importance in FTA. New Zealand has committed to invest 20 billion New Zealand dollars in India over the next 15 years. According to the Indian Government, this investment will be made to strengthen the long-term economic and strategic cooperation between the two countries.
Trade between the two countries is about 4 billion NZ dollars
Let us tell you that trade between India and New Zealand has increased in the last few years. Total trade in goods and services between the two countries in the 12 months to June 2026 stood at about NZ$3.99 billion. India was the ninth largest export market of goods and services for New Zealand during this period. The objective of the new FTA is to increase market access between the two countries and reduce tariff barriers to trade.
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