India-New Zealand trade agreement takes effect

The India-New Zealand trade agreement came into effect on October 20, 2026, opening duty-free access for a range of Indian products. Goods from labour-intensive sectors such as textiles and leather stand to gain improved market access.

The India-New Zealand trade agreement has officially come into effect, with duty-free access opening for several Indian products. The pact is expected to improve market access for a range of Indian goods, including textiles and leather products.

Trade agreements of this kind create opportunities for businesses, support employment and strengthen economic relations between the two countries, particularly for labour-intensive sectors that form a large part of India's export basket.

Officials will now work on implementation and outreach so exporters can make full use of the duty-free access, with both governments expecting trade and investment flows to pick up in the coming months.