ISSUE
Friday, August 22, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 73
The first round of New Zealand’s Free Trade Agreement/Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement negotiations with India was held in Wellington on 7 and 8 April. The two-day round was exploratory in nature but did raise all subjects that each country is interested in negotiating on. Both sides had an opportunity to outline their normal approach to negotiations in each chapter area and to put forth their views about the substance of the agreement.
In terms of what is on the agenda for negotiations, a key priority in this FTA for New Zealand will be the elimination of India's tariff duties. India’s average applied tariff overall is 11.9% but this varies markedly across sectors, with higher tariffs being applied on many of the goods that are of interest to us.
It is too early to define exactly what the scope of negotiations will extend to but other areas that will be definitely be covered in the negotiations include services, investment, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures. We also seek commitments in relation to intellectual property, competition policy, government procurement, trade and labour and trade and the environment.
The next round will be held in New Delhi. No dates have been fixed for that round yet but it is hoped it will take place in late July or August.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is keen to hear about the barriers to market entry that New Zealand firms are experiencing in India, so that we can seek to address these through the negotiations and would welcome input at any stage.
The first round of New Zealand’s Free Trade Agreement/Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement negotiations with India was held in Wellington on 7 and 8 April. The two-day round was exploratory in nature but did raise all subjects that each country is interested in negotiating on. Both sides...
The first round of New Zealand’s Free Trade Agreement/Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement negotiations with India was held in Wellington on 7 and 8 April. The two-day round was exploratory in nature but did raise all subjects that each country is interested in negotiating on. Both sides had an opportunity to outline their normal approach to negotiations in each chapter area and to put forth their views about the substance of the agreement.
In terms of what is on the agenda for negotiations, a key priority in this FTA for New Zealand will be the elimination of India's tariff duties. India’s average applied tariff overall is 11.9% but this varies markedly across sectors, with higher tariffs being applied on many of the goods that are of interest to us.
It is too early to define exactly what the scope of negotiations will extend to but other areas that will be definitely be covered in the negotiations include services, investment, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures. We also seek commitments in relation to intellectual property, competition policy, government procurement, trade and labour and trade and the environment.
The next round will be held in New Delhi. No dates have been fixed for that round yet but it is hoped it will take place in late July or August.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is keen to hear about the barriers to market entry that New Zealand firms are experiencing in India, so that we can seek to address these through the negotiations and would welcome input at any stage.
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