India, New Zealand conclude 4th round of FTA talks 

The fourth round of negotiations on the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) concluded today in Auckland and Rotorua.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Saturday said there were five days of constructive and forward-looking discussions between the two sides. Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and New Zealand Minister for Trade Todd McClay acknowledged the steady progress made during this round and reaffirmed their commitment to working towards a modern, comprehensive, and future-ready FTA.

Goyal meets Aussie counterpart 

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal Goyal on Saturday met Australia’s Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell and Minister for Skills & Training Andrew Giles in Melbourne. “Our constructive discussions focussed on unlocking the full potential of the India-Australia economic partnership, including through a balanced Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement,” he said.

Both delegations held detailed engagements on trade in goods and services, economic and trade cooperation. The discussions reflected the shared ambition to strengthen economic ties and build a mutually beneficial partnership that supports resilient, inclusive and sustainable growth, the statement of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said.

India remains committed to forging deeper economic partnerships that contribute to global prosperity and secure supply chains. The ministers noted that the proposed FTA is expected to significantly enhance trade flows, deepen investment links, strengthen supply-chain resilience and provide greater predictability and market access for businesses in both countries.

India’s bilateral merchandise trade with New Zealand stood at $1.3 billion in FY 2024-25, marking a year-on-year growth of nearly 49 per cent. The proposed FTA is expected to unlock further potential in sectors such as agriculture, food processing, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, education and services, creating new opportunities for businesses and consumers alike.

Both sides agreed to sustain momentum through continued detailed discussions across all chapters with a shared determination to move towards early convergence on the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement.