India and New Zealand signed a free trade agreement (FTA) on 27 April 2026 in New Delhi to cut tariffs, expand market access and strengthen economic ties amid global trade tensions. The deal covers wide tariff reductions, services access and mobility provisions, with both sides expecting higher trade, jobs and investment flows.
India and New Zealand signed a free trade agreement (FTA) on Monday, 27 April 2026 in New Delhi, aiming to cut tariffs, expand market access and strengthen economic ties amid ongoing global trade tensions.
The deal was signed by India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand’s Trade Minister Todd McClay in the presence of business leaders from both countries.
Under the agreement, India will reduce or eliminate tariffs on 95% of imports from New Zealand, while New Zealand will remove duties on all Indian exports. Products such as kiwifruit, apples, seafood, iron, steel, scrap aluminium, sheep meat, wool and coal are among those gaining improved access, with several items receiving immediate duty-free treatment and others phased in over time.
The agreement also expands services and mobility provisions, with New Zealand opening 118 services sectors including professional, IT, telecoms, construction and tourism. It provides 5,000 temporary work visas and 1,000 working holiday visas for Indian professionals, alongside eased post-study work rights for Indian students.
The pact will now go through New Zealand’s parliamentary approval process before implementation.
