Overview
- The fourth round of India–New Zealand FTA negotiations is underway in Auckland after talks restarted this year, with ministers reporting significant progress during meetings on November 5.
- Piyush Goyal said India will not compromise on dairy, farmers or MSMEs in any pact, while signaling scope for cooperation in farming technologies such as dairy machinery.
- New Zealand’s Todd McClay called agri‑tech a big part of the talks, and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon highlighted labour mobility and education links as priorities.
- Air India and Air New Zealand are working toward direct flights by 2028 to strengthen people‑to‑people ties, complementing services and mobility provisions under discussion.
- Separately, India and the U.S. have completed five rounds toward a Bilateral Trade Agreement, with talks described as progressing well despite unresolved sensitive issues and U.S. tariffs of up to 50% on Indian goods.