PM Modi Calls India-New Zealand FTA A Historic, Women-Led Breakthrough

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday described the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as a landmark achievement in India’s trade history, highlighting that it is the country’s first women-led FTA.

He underlined that nearly the entire Indian negotiating team consisted of women, signalling a decisive shift in both trade diplomacy and leadership representation.

The Prime Minister shared an article authored by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. He said the agreement shows that India’s trade strategy has evolved far beyond conventional tariff negotiations.

PM Modi noted that India now uses FTAs as strategic instruments to strengthen the economy, generate opportunities and improve the lives of millions.

Responding to Goyal’s post on X, PM Modi said the article clearly explains how modern Indian FTAs focus on growth, resilience and global integration.

He emphasised that the India-New Zealand pact stands out not only for its economic depth but also for the message it sends about women’s leadership in high-stakes global negotiations.

The FTA marks a defining moment in India’s trade diplomacy. The agreement opens new avenues for comprehensive economic cooperation.

It secures improved market access for Indian goods and expands opportunities in services and professional mobility. It also deepens collaboration in agriculture, investment, and emerging sectors.

The agreement aims to deliver measurable gains across multiple segments of the economy.

Trade, Women, Global Ambition

The pact eliminates duties on 100 per cent of Indian exports to New Zealand. The agreement also includes a $20-billion investment commitment spread over 15 years, designed to reinforce long-term economic engagement and strategic cooperation between the two countries.

New Zealand has offered immediate zero-duty access on all its tariff lines—8,284 in total—from the date the agreement enters into force.

The government said the benefits of the FTA will extend across society. Enhanced agricultural cooperation will benefit farmers, while MSMEs will seize new export opportunities and integrate into global value chains.

Students, skilled professionals and service providers will benefit from expanded mobility and access, strengthening India’s talent footprint overseas.

Officials stressed that the agreement reinforces India’s reputation as a reliable and forward-looking global partner.By combining market access with investment, innovation and people-to-people linkages, the FTA aligns closely with India’s long-term development goals.

The PM Modi government framed the agreement as a step toward the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, positioning trade as a catalyst for inclusive growth and global integration.

With its women-led negotiating team and wide-ranging economic scope, the India-New Zealand FTA has emerged as both a diplomatic statement and a strategic economic tool, signalling India’s intent to shape global trade on its own confident terms.

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