Wellington, July 9: A major trade agreement between India and New Zealand will render over half of all kiwi exports entirely tariff-free immediately upon implementation. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced the development on Thursday, framing the pact as a transformative milestone for local enterprises looking to expand their footprint in the Indian market.
The economic announcement arrives just ahead of an upcoming two-day state visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is scheduled to arrive in New Zealand on July 10 at the invitation of his counterpart. The historic visit marks the first time an Indian Prime Minister has traveled to the country in nearly forty decades, signaling a mutual desire to deepen diplomatic and commercial ties.
“New Zealand businesses are set to boom with our India Trade Deal. 57% of everything we export to India will be tariff free from day one,” Luxon asserted in a public statement on X, formerly Twitter. He further maintained that the reducing of these trade barriers would pave the way for expansive new commercial opportunities.
The high-profile state visit in Auckland will center heavily on bilateral discussions to review the full spectrum of the relationship between the two democracies. According to official government communications, the dialogue will prioritize expanding cooperation across trade, commerce, and defense. The Prime Minister’s Office affirmed that the partnership has gained significant momentum in recent years, particularly within economic and strategic sectors.
Negotiations for the Free Trade Agreement resumed earlier this year following an extended hiatus, with both capitals actively seeking to expand market access. While the final details continue to progress, the overarching goal remains a deeper cooperation in key sectors like agriculture, technology, and services. Aside from official leadership meetings, Modi is slated to interact with prominent business leaders, sports personalities, and address a large gathering of the Indian diaspora.
