‘57% of Our Exports Will Be Tariff-Free’: New Zealand PM Hails India Trade Deal

‘57% of Our Exports Will Be Tariff-Free’: New Zealand PM Hails India Trade Deal Ahead of Modi Visit

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to New Zealand, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced that 57 per cent of New Zealand’s exports to India will become tariff-free from the first day under the recently signed India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA), describing the pact as a major boost for businesses and economic growth.

Sharing the announcement on X, Luxon said the agreement would significantly expand opportunities for New Zealand exporters.

“New Zealand businesses are set to boom with our India Trade Deal. 57% of everything we export to India will be tariff-free from day one,” he wrote.

Modi to Make First Visit by an Indian PM in Nearly 40 Years

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a two-day state visit to New Zealand from July 10 to 11 at the invitation of Christopher Luxon. The trip will be the first official visit by an Indian prime minister to New Zealand in nearly four decades.

Earlier announcing the visit, Luxon described India as one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies and said strengthening ties with New Delhi was crucial for New Zealand’s future prosperity.

He said the Free Trade Agreement, signed in April, would help generate jobs, increase exports and drive stronger economic growth.

According to Luxon, the agreement will provide New Zealand businesses with greater access to India’s 1.4-billion-strong market, creating new opportunities for exporters and supporting higher incomes across the country.

India-New Zealand FTA to Boost Bilateral Trade

The India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement aims to deepen economic cooperation by expanding trade in goods and services, encouraging investment and strengthening commercial ties between the two countries.

Under the agreement, Indian exports will receive duty-free access to the New Zealand market, while a majority of New Zealand’s exports to India will enjoy phased tariff concessions, with 57 per cent becoming tariff-free immediately.

For India, the pact strengthens economic engagement with a key Indo-Pacific partner, while New Zealand gains improved access to one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies amid an uncertain global trade environment.

Focus on Trade, Investment and Defence

During his visit, Prime Minister Modi is expected to hold wide-ranging talks with Christopher Luxon covering trade, investment, defence and broader bilateral cooperation.

He is also scheduled to interact with leading business figures, sports personalities and members of the Indian diaspora as both countries look to further deepen their strategic and economic partnership.