India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement Takes Effect on 20 October

The bilateral trade agreement between India and New Zealand officially comes into force on 20 October 2026. Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and New Zealand's Minister for Trade and Investment, Todd McClay, announced the implementation during a joint virtual conference, according to a statement from the Press Information Bureau. Under the terms of the deal, Indian merchandise entering New Zealand receives 100 percent duty-free access. In exchange, Wellington committed to facilitating USD 20 billion in investment into various Indian domestic sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, and start-up businesses. Describing the implementation as a major breakthrough, New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay noted that the pact opens opportunities for domestic exporters to access 1.4 billion consumers in one of the fastest-growing major global economies. The agreement incorporates extensive commitments in services across 118 individual sectors, including dedicated market entry for Ayurveda and Yoga. Furthermore, the treaty broadens mobility options for Indian professionals and youth through established annual visa quotas alongside post-study work rights lasting up to four years for STEM graduates and doctoral scholars.