Auckland: A ministry of foreign affairs and trade news release says good progress was made at the third round held in Wellington between October 26 and 29.
With texts tabled by one or both sides across many of the key areas, discussion was able to build on the initial exchanges, which took place at the last round around those texts, the release says.
There was also further discussion about each other's respective approaches to the treatment of competition policy, intellectual property, government procurement, trade and environment and trade and labour.
Discussions across all issues are still at a relatively early stage but, while there are difficult issues to be worked through, it is encouraging that in various areas there continues to be a good measure of convergence at the level of principle.
Additional to the negotiations themselves, India's negotiators stayed in New Zealand for an extra day to have a first hand experience of some of the important sectors of the New Zealand economy.
The day included visits to: Fonterra's Te Rapa factory; the SAITL laboratory where 25,000 milk samples are tested each day; Pickmee Apple Orchard, coolstore and packhouse; and Patton Refrigeration. The overall focus of the day was on the quality of New Zealand produce and the strength of the New Zealand cool chain.
The next round will be held in New Delhi in early 2011.