India, Dec. 22 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation with his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon on Monday and jointly announced the successful conclusion of the historic, ambitious and mutually beneficial India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

The negotiations were formally launched on 16 March 2025 during the meeting Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal and minister for trade and investment of New Zealand Todd McClay.

The agreement was concluded after discussions over five formal negotiation rounds, several in-person and virtual intersessions.

The FTA establishes a high-quality economic partnership that promotes employment, facilitates skill mobility, drives trade and investment-led growth, foste...