What happened:
On December 22, 2025, India and New Zealand concluded a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA). External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar described it as a major milestone, following a phone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announcing the deal.
Why it matters to India:
The FTA is expected to significantly boost trade, investment and economic cooperation, deepen market access, attract long-term New Zealand investment, and strengthen India’s economic engagement in the Indo-Pacific.