India’s free trade agreement (FTA) with New Zealand is set to take effect on October 20, 2026, marking a significant step in India’s strategy to expand its international trade relations. The agreement, signed in April 2026, promises duty-free access for Indian exports to New Zealand, with key beneficiaries expected to include sectors such as textiles, leather, footwear, engineering goods, and processed agricultural products.
Concurrently, India is actively pursuing negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Canada, with a targeted completion by the end of the year. These negotiations, which cover extensive areas like trade in goods and services, investment, rules of origin, and intellectual property rights, are part of India’s broader effort to strengthen its economic ties and diversify export markets. The fifth round of discussions took place in Ottawa from October 5 to 9, with the next round scheduled for early November in New Delhi.
Beyond New Zealand and Canada, India is engaged in trade discussions with several other nations, including the United States, Israel, Chile, and Peru. Additionally, India is reviewing or enhancing existing trade agreements with countries such as Australia, the ASEAN member states, South Korea, and Sri Lanka. These initiatives reflect India’s ambitions to improve market access for its businesses amid shifting global trade dynamics.
The implementation of the FTA with New Zealand and the ongoing negotiations with Canada underscore India’s proactive approach in securing beneficial trade agreements. Such efforts are aimed at bolstering India’s export landscape and ensuring that Indian businesses remain competitive on the global stage.