The India-New Zealand free trade agreement is expected be implemented by late October, with official dates to be announced shortly, commerce secretary Rajesh Agrawal announced on Tuesday.“We are expecting that the agreement will get operationalised in the latter half of October 2026. The exact date for the same will be announced soon … because both sides have to completely take stock of the operationalisation processes and procedures,” he said.An official told PTI that the agreement could come into force from October 19.The FTA signed on April 27 will provide duty-free access for all Indian exports to New Zealand. Indian goods including ceramics, carpets, automobiles, and auto components currently face peak tariffs of up to 10 per cent in Wellington’s market.According to New Zealand ministry of foreign affairs and trade, India-New Zealand two-way trade totalled nearly NZ$3.95 billion in the year ended December 2025.New Zealand exported NZ$2.03 billion worth of goods and services to India during the period, making India its 21st-largest goods export market and fifth-largest services export market.Key exports to India included travel services worth NZ$1.14 billion, forestry products worth NZ$399 million, horticulture products worth NZ$114 million, including apples worth NZ$81 million and kiwifruit worth NZ$33 million, aluminium worth NZ$86 million, iron and steel worth NZ$80 million, and wool worth NZ$77 million.According to the ministry of commerce and industry, New Zealand is India’s second-largest trading partner in Oceania.India’s services exports to New Zealand grew by 13 per cent in 2024 to reach US$634 million, with travel, IT and business services among the major sectors. India-New Zealand merchandise trade also rose from US$855 million in 2015-16 to US$1.298 billion in 2024-25.Over the 10-year period, India’s exports to New Zealand increased by 130 per cent, while imports rose by 7.21 per cent.New Zealand has also committed to invest USD 20 billion in India over 15 years.The agreement is being considered as the best-ever offer by Wellington, with India to get most-favoured nation (MFN) treatment in 139 sectors. New Zealand has also signed annex on student mobility and post study work visa for the first time with any country, allowing Indian students to work up to 20 hours per week while studying, regardless of policy changes in future.
