India, New Zealand resume FTA negotiations after a decade

AFTER A GAP of nearly 10 years, India and New Zealand on Sunday announced resumption of negotiations for a proposed free trade agreement (FTA) to boost economic ties.

- MUKESH JAGOTA

The announcement came on the eve of the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who is on a four-day visit to India from Sunday. The announcement came after a meeting between commerce minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand's minister of trade and investment Todd McClay.

"The India-New Zealand FTA negotiations aim to achieve balanced outcomes that enhance supply chain integration and improve market access," a commerce ministry statement said.

"Wonderful to meet my friend Todd McClay, New Zealand's trade minister. With bilateral trade continuing to grow steadily, surpassing $1 billion during April-January 2025, the FTA negotiations aim to unlock new avenues for businesses and consumers, fostering mutual growth and prosperity of our nations," Goyal posted on 'X'.