On April 27, 2026, India and New Zealand signed a free trade agreement (FTA) designed to enhance bilateral trade and investment. The FTA, which took years to negotiate, will eliminate customs duties on a wide range of goods and services, facilitating smoother commerce between the two nations. For India, the agreement allows zero-duty entry for its goods, particularly benefiting labor-intensive sectors such as textiles, leather, and engineering. New Zealand has committed to investing USD 20 billion in India over the next 15 years, while Indian professionals will gain access to 5,000 temporary employment visas. Conversely, New Zealand will receive duty-free access for 54.11% of its exports to India, including sheep meat and wool, from the outset. However, India has protected sensitive sectors such as dairy and sugar from tariff concessions, ensuring the interests of its farmers and MSMEs are safeguarded. This FTA not only strengthens India's position in the Pacific market but also provides New Zealand with secure access to one of the world's fastest-growing economies.