India & New Zealand Finalise First Women-Led FTA

By: WE staff | Monday, 22 December 2025

• A free trade agreement has been reached between India and New Zealand
• It has been called the first women-led Free Trade Agreement
• It took the parties nine months to conclude the deal

India and New Zealand have signed a free trade agreement, called the first women-led FTA, and this signed FTA was achieved in nine months, thus becoming one of India’s fastest signed trade agreements with a developed nation.

Negotiations for the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement commenced formally on the 16th of March, 2025, with talks between the Commerce & Industry Minister, India’s, Piyush Goyal, & Trade & Investment Minister, Todd McClay, of New Zealand. The negotiations were concluded after five negotiation rounds, in combination with several meetings.

The agreement aims to increase trading opportunities in areas of agriculture, production, services, education, and innovation, according to the Indian government.

The objective of the agreement is to promote agricultural productivity, help Indian companies enter the international market, and provide more opportunities for Indian students and workers to study and work abroad, as stated.

One important area where the current trade deal is significant is in allowing women to play a prominent role in trade negotiations, drafting, and decision-making.

This has been noted to be one of the ways through which inclusive trade negotiations are being conducted, and women are being included in trade policy decision-making in a more significant manner.

The pact assures considerably high market access opportunities to Indian exporters. New Zealand has offered zeroing tariffs on 100 percent of its tariff lines, which will provide duty-free access to all Indian exports. India has offered cuts in tariffs on 70 percent of its tariff lines, which represent 95 percent of trade.

This will help labor-intensive industries like textiles, apparel, leather, footwear, marine products, gems and jewels, handicrafts, engineering goods, and automobiles.

The pact also tackles non-tariff barriers by enhancing regulatory cooperation, facilitating customs procedures, and enhancing sanitary and technical standards.

In the area of healthcare products, because of this new pact, India can rely on inspection reports from regulatory authorities like the FDA in the US, EMA, and MHRA in the UK, which will lead to reduced costs and timelines of exports from India.

In the year 2024-25, the bilateral merchandise trade between India and New Zealand was recorded at USD 1.3 billion, with the total trade of goods and services being around USD 2.4 billion.

Out of this total trade value, services trade contributed USD 1.24 billion, with major contributions being seen in travel, IT, and business services. Both nations consider this agreement as a framework for supporting the growth of trade between the countries.

The India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement is the third free trade agreement that has been established by India in 2025 and is regarded as a futuristic agreement that targets employment, skills, innovation, and inclusive growth.