India is expected to see rapid progress on four trade deals before the end of the year , the operationalisation of the free trade agreement with New Zealand in October, the signing of the EU FTA by December, the formalization of the Chile deal shortly, and fast-tracking negotiations with Canada within 90 days, senior officials said.
At present, New Zealand has peak tariffs of up to 10% on key Indian goods such as ceramics, carpets, automobiles, and auto components. New Zealand has also committed foreign direct investments worth $20 billion in India over the next 15 years, according to the terms of the agreement. India and New Zealand signed the FTA on April 27. The negotiations began on March 16, 2025 and were concluded in just nine months on December 22, 2025.
“India- New Zealand FTA coming into force on 20th October 2026, on the occasion of Vijay Dashami,” commerce minister Piyush Goyal said on Monday. Explaining the significance of the festival to New Zealand trade minister Todd McClay through a video conference, he said it celebrates the triumph of good over evil and called the deal “a Vijay (win) for both nations. All Indian exports to New Zealand will be duty free from the day of its operationalisation, the minister said. Goyal said India will set up dedicated investment facilitation desks to help investors from the country. “Looking forward, our immediate priority should be to ensure that the provisions of the agreement immediately translate into tangible benefits for businesses and people of India and New Zealand,” he said. McClay termed the FTA a “high quality agreement” and said that at a time of global economic uncertainties, the bilateral trade deal would give confidence to business communities of the two nations.
