India-New Zealand FTA set for april 24 signing, targets $20 billion investment and zero-duty access

India and New Zealand are expected to sign a Free Trade Agreement on April 24 in Delhi, eliminating tariffs on Indian exports to New Zealand. The deal aims to double bilateral trade to $5 billion within five years and attract $20 billion in investment over 15 years.

According to an official cited by media reports, India and New Zealand will likely sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on April 24 at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi. Negotiations concluded on December 22, 2025. Under the terms, India gains zero-duty access for all its exports to New Zealand. In return, India will reduce or eliminate tariffs on approximately 95% of New Zealand’s exports, including wool, coal, wood, wine, avocados, and blueberries. Sensitive sectors such as dairy (milk, cream, whey, yoghurt, cheese), onions, sugar, spices, edible oils, and rubber are excluded from duty concessions to protect domestic producers.

New Zealand also secures duty-free access for sheep meat, wool, coal, and most forestry products. On services, New Zealand will introduce a temporary visa pathway for up to 5,000 Indian professionals annually across IT, engineering, healthcare, education, construction, AYUSH practitioners, yoga instructors, Indian chefs, and music teachers, with a three-year stay limit. Bilateral merchandise trade stood at $1.3 billion in 2024–25, with total goods and services trade at approximately $2.4 billion.

This FTA matters because it opens New Zealand’s market fully to Indian goods while creating predictable migration channels for skilled Indian workers. Agri-exporters, IT services firms, and construction companies in India gain expanded access. New Zealand’s dairy and horticulture sectors face limited Indian market access due to sensitive product exclusions. Investors should monitor sectoral adjustments and implementation timelines.