Archive · 19 Sep 2026
India-New Zealand FTA Could Take Effect Within One Month
India and New Zealand have agreed on a new trade deal.
New Zealand’s Parliament has approved the law needed to start the agreement.
The two countries are now exchanging official documents.
New Zealand’s trade minister expects the deal to begin within about a month.
Indian goods will be able to enter New Zealand without import taxes from the first day, under the agreement’s rules.
The deal could increase trade in medicines, chemicals, machines and technology services.
New Zealand also wants to sell more food, machinery and services in India.
Both countries hope the agreement will create jobs and help their trade reach NZ$7 billion by 2030.
New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay said the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement could take effect within a month.
The agreement has cleared New Zealand’s Parliament, with official records showing 93 votes in favour and 29 against.
India is set to receive duty-free access for all its exports to New Zealand from implementation day, subject to the agreement’s provisions.
The pact is expected to expand trade in chemicals, pharmaceuticals, machinery, information technology services, food and investment.
The countries aim to increase two-way trade from about NZ$4 billion to NZ$7 billion by 2030.
- Who
- India and New Zealand, including Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay and the governments led by Narendra Modi and Christopher Luxon.
- What
- The countries are preparing to implement a Free Trade Agreement that provides Indian exporters with duty-free access to New Zealand.
- When
- The agreement was signed on April 27, 2026, and is expected to take effect within a month of the reported preparations.
- Where
- The agreement was signed in New Delhi and will govern trade between India and New Zealand.
- Why
- The agreement is intended to expand bilateral trade, create jobs and provide more predictable trade rules.
- Expected implementation
- Within the next month, according to Todd McClay.
- Parliamentary approval
- New Zealand’s Parliament approved the implementing legislation on September 15; royal assent followed on September 17.
- Recorded vote
- The official parliamentary record shows 93 votes in favour and 29 against; McClay cited a 93-26 vote.
- Indian export access
- India secured duty-free access for 100% of its exports to New Zealand, subject to the agreement’s provisions.
- Current bilateral trade
- Approximately NZ$4 billion.
- 2030 trade ambition
- New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade lists a goal of NZ$7 billion in two-way trade.
- Potential growth areas
- Chemicals, pharmaceuticals, machinery, information and communications technology, food, services and investment.