New Delhi, Nov 8 (IANS) India and New Zealand have successfully concluded the fourth round of negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in Auckland and Rotorua, an official statement said on Saturday.

It followed five days of constructive and forward-looking discussions between the two sides, according to Commerce Ministry.

The statement further stated that both sides agreed to sustain momentum through inter-sessional work and continue detailed discussions across all chapters — with a shared determination to move towards early convergence on the India–New Zealand FTA.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand Minister for Trade, Todd McClay, acknowledged the steady progress made during this round and reaffirmed their commitment to work towards a modern, comprehensive, and future-ready free trade pact.

According to the ministry, both delegations held detailed engagements across key tracks including trade in goods, trade in services, economic and trade cooperation, and rules of origin.

The discussions reflected the shared ambition to strengthen economic ties and build a mutually beneficial partnership that supports resilient, inclusive, and sustainable growth.

“Guided by the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India remains committed to forging deeper economic partnerships that contribute to global prosperity and secure supply chains. The Ministers noted that the proposed FTA is expected to significantly enhance trade flows, deepen investment linkages, strengthen supply-chain resilience, and provide greater predictability and market access for businesses in both countries,” the ministry highlighted.

India’s bilateral merchandise trade with New Zealand stood at $1.3 billion in FY 2024-25, marking a year-on-year growth of nearly 49 per cent.

The proposed FTA is expected to unlock further potential in sectors such as agriculture, food processing, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, education, and services, creating new opportunities for businesses and consumers alike.

According to the ministry, the ongoing discussions reflect the shared resolve of both nations to expedite the process and work towards an early, balanced, and mutually advantageous conclusion of the agreement.

—IANS

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