India and New Zealand announce launch of negotiations for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement after Goyal–McClay meeting
India and New Zealand announced the launch of negotiations for a comprehensive and mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement on 16 March 2025 in New Delhi, after a meeting between Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand's Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay.
Summary
On 16 March 2025, on the eve of the bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, India and New Zealand announced the launch of negotiations for a comprehensive and mutually beneficial India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement. The step was marked by a meeting in New Delhi between India's Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand's Minister for Trade and Investment Todd McClay. The negotiations aim at balanced outcomes that enhance supply chain integration and improve market access. The two countries had earlier begun negotiating a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) in April 2010, but those talks stalled in 2015 after nine rounds. New Zealand's government said negotiations would start the following month.
Key facts
- Date
- 16 March 2025, New Delhi
- Ministers
- Piyush Goyal (India); Todd McClay (NZ Trade and Investment)
- Timing
- Eve of Modi–Luxon bilateral meeting
- Aim
- Supply chain integration, better market access
- Earlier attempt
- CECA talks from April 2010; stalled 2015 after nine rounds
Practice MCQs 3 questions
The launch of India–New Zealand FTA negotiations on 16 March 2025 was marked by a meeting between Piyush Goyal and which New Zealand minister?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Todd McClay
The launch was marked by a meeting between Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand's Minister for Trade and Investment Todd McClay in New Delhi.
India and New Zealand's earlier trade negotiations, which stalled in 2015 after nine rounds, were for which agreement?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA)
India and New Zealand began negotiating a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) in April 2010; the talks stalled in 2015 after nine rounds.
According to India's Commerce Ministry, the India–New Zealand FTA negotiations launched in March 2025 aim mainly to:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Enhance supply chain integration and improve market access
The ministry said the negotiations aim to achieve balanced outcomes that enhance supply chain integration and improve market access.