India and New Zealand Sign Free Trade Deal to Boost Exports

India and New Zealand signed a free‑trade agreement on 27 April 2026 in New Delhi, removing tariffs on 100 percent of Indian goods exported to New Zealand. The pact grants duty‑free access for Indian textiles, apparel, engineering goods, gems, jewellery, auto parts and marine products, while New Zealand will lower duties on wine, kiwifruit, seafood, apples, honey and other items imported into India over a 7‑10‑year schedule.

The agreement includes a provision for 5,000 skilled Indian professionals to obtain three‑year work visas each year, and a commitment from New Zealand to invest roughly US$20 billion in India over the next 15 years across IT, education, tourism and infrastructure. Indian MSMEs, farmers and agri‑tech startups are expected to benefit from new market access and reduced trade costs, supporting India’s broader push to expand its manufacturing and export footprint in the Indo‑Pacific region.