The India & New Zealand FTA, a major boost to Textile Sector

• India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed 27 April 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi — India's first FTA with a Pacific developed economy and one of its fastest-negotiated FTAs.
• Eliminates duty on 100% of Indian exports to New Zealand from day one; India liberalises 70.03% of tariff lines (≈95% of bilateral trade value) while shielding dairy and sensitive farm products.
• Strategic significance: anchors India in the Indo-Pacific economic architecture, opens services markets, and locks in a USD 20 billion investment commitment over 15 years aligned with Make in India.
• Textile-specific gain: zero-duty entry into NZ's USD 1.27 billion apparel import market, where MFN duties currently run 5–10% on wool, MMF, carpets and apparel.