**Summary:**
The second round of negotiations for the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) concluded successfully in New Delhi on July 25, 2025. This round builds upon the first round held in May 2025, and the FTA discussions that began in March 2025 between Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, and New Zealand's Minister for Trade and Investment, Mr. Todd McClay. Key areas of progress in this round include Trade in Goods and Services, Investment, Rules of Origin, Customs Procedures and Trade Facilitation, Technical Barriers to Trade, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, and Economic Cooperation. Both sides aim for a balanced, comprehensive, and forward-looking agreement. The third round of negotiations is scheduled for September 2025 in New Zealand, with virtual meetings planned in the interim. India's bilateral merchandise trade with New Zealand reached USD 1.3 billion in FY 2024-25, a 48.6% increase over the previous year. The FTA is expected to boost trade, investment, supply chain resilience, and create a predictable business environment.
Key Entities Referenced
India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement: A proposed trade agreement between India and New Zealand aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and economic partnerships.
New Delhi: The location of the second round of negotiations, held in Delhi, India. Also, the location of first round of negotiations.
New Zealand: The country that is party to the Free Trade Agreement negotiations with India and the location for the third round of negotiations.
Shri Narendra Modi: The Prime Minister of India, who provided guidance for deepening economic ties between India and New Zealand.
Christopher Luxon: The Prime Minister of New Zealand, who visited India in March 2025.
Shri Piyush Goyal: The Union Minister of Commerce and Industry of India.
Todd McClay: The Minister for Trade and Investment, Government of New Zealand.
September 2025: The scheduled time for the Third Round of India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement Negotiations to be held in New Zealand.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Second Round of India-New Zealand Free Trade
Agreement Negotiations Concludes in New Delhi
Third Round of Negotiations Scheduled to be held in
New Zealand in September 2025
Posted On: 25 JUL 2025 6:42PM by PIB Delhi
The Second Round of negotiations for the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) concluded
successfully today in New Delhi, further advancing the shared objective of strengthening bilateral trade and
economic partnerships.
This development catalyses the shared commitment to deepen economic ties and guidance given by the Prime
Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi during the visit of the Right Hon’ble Christopher Luxon, Prime
Minister of New Zealand in March 2025. The FTA was launched during the meeting between Union Minister
of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal and Hon’ble Mr. Todd McClay, Minister for Trade and
Investment, Government of New Zealand on March 16, 2025.
Continuing the momentum generated during the first round held in May 2025 in New Delhi, the second round
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of negotiations were held from 14 to 25 July 2025. This Round accomplished significant advancement in
multiple areas, including Trade in Goods and Services, Investment, Rules of Origin, Customs Procedures and
Trade Facilitation, Technical Barriers to Trade, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, and Economic
Cooperation. Discussions were marked by mutual interest in achieving early convergence on several texts.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to concluding a balanced, comprehensive, and forward-looking
agreement.
The Third Round of negotiations is scheduled to be held in New Zealand in September 2025. The
intersessional virtual meetings will maintain the forward trajectory set in the second round.
India’s bilateral merchandise trade with New Zealand reached USD 1.3 billion in FY 2024-25, recording a
growth of 48.6% over the previous financial year, signaling the growing potential of the economic
partnership. The FTA is expected to enhance trade flows, support investment linkages, promote supply chain
resilience, and establish a predictable and enabling environment for businesses in both countries.
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Abhishek Dayal/Abhijith Narayanan/Shabbir Azad
(Release ID: 2148540)