India and New Zealand on Monday (April 27) signed a free trade agreement (FTA), marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties. The deal positions New Zealand as one of India\u2019s key partners in the Oceania region and is expected to open new avenues across goods, services, and mobility.<\/p>\n
Also read: India, New Zealand set to seal landmark FTA to boost trade, investment: Explainer<\/a><\/p>\n Calling it a “once-in-a-generation” deal, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the pact opens new pathways for trade in goods and services, investment flows, and labour mobility between the two countries.<\/p>\n Duty-free access <\/p>\n A key feature of the agreement is New Zealand\u2019s commitment to provide duty-free access to 100 per cent of Indian exports. This is expected to benefit labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, apparel, leather, footwear, gems and jewellery, engineering goods, and processed foods.<\/p>\n In return, India has offered market access on 70.03 per cent of its tariff lines, allowing New Zealand exports to enter Indian markets with reduced barriers.<\/p>\n Protected sectors <\/p>\n To safeguard domestic industries, India has excluded several sensitive sectors from tariff concessions.<\/p>\n Also read: PM Modi announces signing of India-EU free trade agreement<\/a><\/p>\n These include dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yoghurt, as well as key agricultural items like onions, pulses, corn, and almonds. Other excluded categories include sugar, edible oils, certain metals, and arms and ammunition, reflecting a calibrated approach to trade liberalisation.<\/p>\n Investment commitments <\/p>\n New Zealand has committed to facilitating investments worth USD 20 billion in India over the next 15 years.<\/p>\n These investments are expected to focus on infrastructure, technology, and renewable energy, strengthening long-term economic collaboration between the two countries.<\/p>\n Visa provisions <\/p>\n The agreement allows up to 5,000 skilled Indian professionals annually to work in New Zealand for up to three years. These include sectors such as IT, engineering, healthcare, construction, and education, along with specialised roles like yoga instructors, chefs, and traditional practitioners.<\/p>\n Also read: How India\u2019s EU and US trade pacts compare with the 1991 liberalisation<\/a><\/p>\n Additionally, 1,000 young Indians will be eligible for multiple-entry visas for a period of 12 months.<\/p>\n Education opportunities <\/p>\n For the first time, New Zealand has signed an annexe on student mobility and post-study work visas with any country.<\/p>\n Indian students will be allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during their studies, with extended post-study work rights up to three years for bachelor\u2019s and master\u2019s graduates, and up to four years for doctoral candidates.<\/p>\n Boost to traditional medicine <\/p>\n A unique aspect of the agreement is the inclusion of an annex promoting trade in traditional medicine.<\/p>\n