India–New Zealand FTA to enter into force on 20 October 2026; all Indian goods get duty-free access, NZ commits to facilitate USD 20 billion investment
On 19 October 2026, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay announced that the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA), signed on 27 April 2026, will enter into force on 20 October 2026 (Vijay Dashmi).
Summary
The India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will enter into force on 20 October 2026, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand's Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay jointly announced on 19 October 2026. New Zealand has eliminated customs duties on all tariff lines covering Indian exports, and has committed to facilitate USD 20 billion of investment into India; sensitive products such as dairy, sugar and edible oils stay excluded from India's concessions. The agreement also gives Indians 5,000 Temporary Employment Entry visas and 1,000 Working Holiday visas a year, and first-ever dedicated access for AYUSH (traditional medicine) services. Negotiations were launched on 16 March 2025, concluded on 22 December 2025, and the FTA was signed on 27 April 2026.
Key facts
- Agreement
- India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
- Entry into force
- 20 October 2026 (Vijay Dashmi)
- Announced
- 19 October 2026 by Piyush Goyal and Todd McClay
- Negotiations
- Launched 16 March 2025; concluded 22 December 2025
- Signed
- 27 April 2026
- Tariffs
- NZ removes duties on all tariff lines for Indian exports (peak tariffs up to 10%)
- Investment
- NZ to facilitate USD 20 billion investment into India
- Visas
- 5,000 Temporary Employment Entry + 1,000 Working Holiday visas a year
- Excluded
- Dairy, sugar, edible oils and key agricultural commodities
- Trade target
- NZ$7 billion by 2030
Practice MCQs 5 questions
On which date was the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement set to enter into force?
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Correct answer: A — 20 October 2026
Under the India–New Zealand FTA, New Zealand has committed to facilitate how much investment into India?
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Correct answer: B — USD 20 billion
Consider the following statements about the India–New Zealand FTA: 1. Its negotiations were launched on 16 March 2025 and the agreement was signed on 27 April 2026. 2. Dairy products have been given duty concessions by India under the agreement. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
How many Temporary Employment Entry visas will New Zealand make available to Indians every year under the India–New Zealand FTA?
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Correct answer: C — 5,000
Under the Kiwifruit Action Plan of the India–New Zealand FTA, Phase I Centres of Excellence sites have been identified at which places?
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Correct answer: D — Pfutsero (Nagaland) and Magra (Uttarakhand)