India, New Zealand resume talks on free trade agreement after nearly a decade

India and New Zealand have announced the resumption of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), a decade after talks were stalled in 2015. Discussions on the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) were first initiated in April 2010 to enhance trade in goods, services, and investment. However, after nine rounds of negotiations, progress came to a halt in 2015. Now, both countries have agreed to relaunch talks, aiming for a comprehensive and mutually beneficial agreement.

“The India-New Zealand FTA negotiations aim to achieve balanced outcomes that enhance supply chain integration and improve market access. This milestone reflects a shared vision for a stronger economic partnership, fostering resilience and prosperity,” the Ministry of Commerce said in a release.

The decision comes ahead of a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who is on a four-day visit to India. The announcement followed a meeting between India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand’s Minister for Trade and Investment, Todd McClay, on March 16, 2025.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is set to call on Luxon later in the day. On Monday, March 17, he will lay a wreath at Raj Ghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. The New Zealand PM is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu on Monday.

On Tuesday, Luxon will meet the Union Health and Family Welfare minister JP Nadda before leaving for Mumbai on Wednesday. He will also meet the Maha CM Devendra Fadnavis and Governor CP Radhakrishanan.

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