India and New Zealand have signed a major Free Trade Agreement reducing tariffs on most goods, expanding exports, easing visas, and strengthening economic cooperation between both nations.

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• India and New Zealand signed a Free Trade Agreement on April 27, 2026, reducing tariffs on 95% of goods and significantly strengthening bilateral trade, investment, and economic cooperation.
• The agreement lowers tariffs on key imports like kiwifruit and apples, while providing Indian exporters improved market access across sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, and automobiles.
• Piyush Goyal highlighted that the deal will expand export opportunities, attract investments, and enhance India’s integration into global supply chains amid rising trade uncertainties.
• The FTA protects India’s sensitive agricultural sectors including dairy, coffee, sugar, spices, edible oils, and rubber, ensuring domestic farmers are safeguarded from foreign competition.
• New Zealand will gain access to 118 service sectors including professional services, telecom, construction, tourism, and digital industries, boosting services trade between both countries.
• The agreement includes provisions for 5,000 temporary work visas for Indian professionals and 1,000 working holiday visas, along with eased post-study work rights for students.
• Tariffs on wine and certain dairy products will be reduced gradually over 7–10 years, while some goods will receive immediate duty-free access to encourage trade growth.
• The deal is expected to increase bilateral trade beyond the current levels of around $2.4 billion, generating jobs, boosting exports, and strengthening India’s Indo-Pacific economic presence.