India and New Zealand have begun the fourth round of negotiations for their proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA), marking another key step toward strengthening bilateral economic ties. The talks, being held in Auckland from November 3 to 7, aim to advance discussions on building a balanced, comprehensive, and mutually beneficial partnership between the two nations.
The current round focuses on crucial areas such as Trade in Goods, Trade in Services, and Rules of Origin. Both sides are working to resolve pending issues from previous rounds and move toward the early conclusion of the agreement.
The renewed momentum in negotiations follows the visit of New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to India in March 2025, during which both countries reaffirmed their intent to deepen economic engagement. The formal launch of the FTA process took place on March 16, 2025, during a meeting between Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand’s Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay.
Officials from both sides have expressed optimism about the talks, reiterating their shared commitment to a forward-looking and inclusive trade framework that promotes sustainable growth and shared prosperity.
The agreement, once concluded, is expected to enhance market access, boost trade and investment flows, and open new opportunities for collaboration in key sectors, including technology, agriculture, and services.