CosmicTaco

India and New Zealand Set to Sign FTA

CosmicTaco · 2025-03-19T10:30:30.987188+05:30

- New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced plans to sign a free trade agreement with India within 60 days, aiming to boost bilateral trade by 10 times over the next decade. - India and New Zealand resumed negotiations for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement after a 10-year hiatus, with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal emphasizing mutual respect and cooperation. - Key sticking points in the talks include duty concessions on agricultural products like apples, kiwi, dairy, and wine, but both sides are optimistic about achieving significant growth. - Trade experts note that Indian products already enjoy significant access to the New Zealand market, with 58.3% of New Zealand's tariff lines being duty-free. - The Indian diaspora in New Zealand, comprising over 250,000 people, provides a strong cultural link that can be leveraged to strengthen trade relations. Source: [The Hindu](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/new-zealand-pm-says-looking-forward-to-ink-fta-with-india-in-60-days/article69347233.ece), [The Times Of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/goyal-india-nz-working-on-mutually-beneficial-fta/articleshow/119185927.cms)

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced plans to sign a free trade agreement with India within 60 days, aiming to boost bilateral trade by 10 times over the next decade.
India and New Zealand resumed negotiations for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement after a 10-year hiatus, with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal emphasizing mutual respect and cooperation.
Key sticking points in the talks include duty concessions on agricultural products like apples, kiwi, dairy, and wine, but both sides are optimistic about achieving significant growth.
Trade experts note that Indian products already enjoy significant access to the New Zealand market, with 58.3% of New Zealand's tariff lines being duty-free.
The Indian diaspora in New Zealand, comprising over 250,000 people, provides a strong cultural link that can be leveraged to strengthen trade relations.

Source: The Hindu, The Times Of India