India-New Zealand Seal Landmark FTA: What It Means for Trade & Strategy

• India and New Zealand finalized a comprehensive FTA on December 22, 2025, aiming to diversify India's trade and counter global protectionism.
• India gains full tariff elimination for its exports to New Zealand from day one, boosting sectors like textiles, engineering, and marine products.
• India safeguarded its agriculture, excluding dairy products, goat meat, onions, and almonds from tariff liberalization.
• New Zealand secured quota-based duty-free access for kiwifruit and preferential access for apples and mānuka honey.
• The deal includes provisions for services, fintech, and a pathway for up to 1,667 skilled Indian workers annually in New Zealand.

Why It Matters: Landmark India-New Zealand FTA diversifies trade, protects agriculture, and opens new avenues for services and labor.