The India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement will enter into force on October 20, 2026, following completion of internal processes in both countries and passage of legislation by the New Zealand Parliament on September 16, 2026. The agreement was originally signed on April 27, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
From the entry into force date, New Zealand will provide zero duty access on 100% of India's exports across all tariff lines, eliminating peak tariffs of up to 10% that previously affected key Indian export sectors. Major beneficiary sectors include textiles and apparel, leather and footwear, gems and jewellery, engineering goods, and processed foods. Indian manufacturers will also gain tariff-free access to critical inputs such as wooden logs, coking coal, and metal scrap.
The agreement safeguards Indian agricultural interests by excluding sensitive products including dairy, animal meat (except sheep), key agricultural commodities, sugar, and edible oils from tariff concessions. For New Zealand's apples, kiwifruit, and Manuka honey, market access is structured through Tariff Rate Quotas with Minimum Import Price and seasonal import windows alongside protective safeguards for domestic farmers.
A significant investment component involves New Zealand's commitment to facilitate USD 20 billion in investment into India, targeting agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, and startups. The agreement establishes an Agriculture Productivity Partnership with dedicated Action Plans for kiwifruit, apples, and honey aimed at improving productivity, quality, and farmer incomes in India, including establishment of Centers of Excellence for orchard management, post-harvest practices, and sustainable beekeeping.
Services sector benefits include access to approximately 118 sectors in New Zealand including IT, professional services, audio-visual, construction, and tourism, with Most-Favoured Nation treatment across about 139 sub-sectors. Mobility provisions include a dedicated quota of 5,000 Temporary Employment Entry visas for skilled Indians and 1,000 Working Holiday visas annually for young Indians, plus uncapped student mobility with post-study work rights of up to three years for STEM graduates and four years for doctoral scholars.
Pharmaceutical and medical device exporters gain expedited market entry as New Zealand will accept inspection approvals from globally trusted regulators including US FDA, EMA, UK MHRA, and Health Canada. The agreement supports the strategic goal of doubling bilateral two-way trade in goods and services to NZ$7 billion (approximately ₹35,000 crore) by 2030, building on current merchandise trade levels of approximately USD 1.1 billion in 2025-26.