The third round of negotiations for the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) concluded in Queenstown, New Zealand on September 19th, 2025. The FTA negotiations are guided by the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. The FTA was formally launched on March 16th, 2025, during the meeting between Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, and New Zealand's Minister for Trade and Investment, Mr. Todd McClay. India-New Zealand trade recorded a 49 percent growth in FY 2024–25, with bilateral merchandise trade standing at USD 1.3 billion. The proposed FTA is expected to further boost trade flows, promote investment linkages, strengthen supply chain resilience, and create a predictable framework for businesses. The next round of in-person negotiations is scheduled for October 13–14, 2025, in New Delhi. The Release ID is 2168608. Contact Persons are: Abhishek Dayal/ Abhijith Narayanan/ Ishita Biswas. It was posted on 19 SEP 2025 6:06PM by PIB Delhi.
Key Entities Referenced
India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA): A proposed agreement between India and New Zealand aimed at strengthening economic ties, trade, and investment.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry: The Indian ministry involved in negotiating and overseeing the Free Trade Agreement with New Zealand.
Queenstown: The location where the third round of India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement Negotiations concluded.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Third Round of India–New Zealand Free Trade
Agreement Negotiations Concludes in Queenstown
FTA negotiations guided by vision of Prime Minister
Shri Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister
Christopher Luxon
India–New Zealand trade records 49 percent growth
in FY 2024–25; FTA expected to further boost
economic ties
Posted On: 19 SEP 2025 6:06PM by PIB Delhi
The third round of negotiations for the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) concluded
successfully on 19th September, 2025, in Queenstown, New Zealand. The discussions reaffirmed the shared
commitment of both nations to strengthen economic ties and work towards the early conclusion of a balanced
and mutually beneficial agreement.
Guided by the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the Right Hon’ble Christopher Luxon, Prime
Minister of New Zealand, the negotiations reflected a common resolve to deepen bilateral trade, investment,
and economic cooperation. The FTA was formally launched on 16th March, 2025, during the meeting
between Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, and New Zealand’s Minister for
Trade and Investment, Mr. Todd McClay.
The third round, held from 15th to 19th September, 2025, witnessed constructive discussions across all areas
of the agreement. Several chapters were concluded and significant progress was achieved in other key
domains.
India’s bilateral merchandise trade with New Zealand stood at USD 1.3 billion in FY 2024–25, registering a
growth of nearly 49 percent over the previous year. The proposed FTA is expected to further boost trade
flows, promote investment linkages, strengthen supply chain resilience, and create a predictable framework
for businesses in both countries.
Both sides agreed to maintain momentum through inter-sessional engagements. The next round of in-person
negotiations is scheduled to be held in New Delhi on 13–14 October, 2025.
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Abhishek Dayal/ Abhijith Narayanan/ Ishita Biswas
(Release ID: 2168608)