India and New Zealand signed a significant free trade agreement (FTA) on Monday, aimed at enhancing trade in goods, services, and investment. The agreement, which concluded years of negotiations, grants India zero-duty access for its exports, particularly in textiles, leather, and engineering goods, while New Zealand will receive duty-free access on over 54% of its tariff lines. A key feature is the introduction of a temporary visa pathway for up to 5,000 Indian professionals to work in New Zealand for three years. The FTA is projected to boost bilateral trade from $2.4 billion to $5 billion by 2030, facilitating up to $20 billion in foreign direct investment into India over the next 15 years. While the agreement liberalizes trade, it also protects sensitive sectors such as dairy and agriculture, reflecting a balanced approach to openness and domestic interests. This FTA marks a pivotal shift in India’s trade strategy, focusing on services and investment alongside traditional goods trade, and is expected to foster deeper economic ties between the two nations.