The Auckland agreements propose direct flights, payment-system connectivity, an annual maritime dialogue and wider cooperation in education, agriculture, sports and disaster management.
The two leaders also witnessed the exchange of multiple MoUs, while Prime Minister Modi received a traditional Maori powhiri ceremonial welcome and is scheduled to meet business leaders and address the Indian diaspora during his visit.
India’s new trade pact with New Zealand combines tariff-free access, visa pathways and investment commitments, reshaping bilateral ties across trade, education and skilled workforce mobility.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal held talks with a high-level Israeli delegation on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the Jewish nation.
Noting that India and Israel are moving forward to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Azar stated that the ties between the two countries will also be advanced in other sectors like transportation, water, agriculture and academic cooperation.
Calling the agreement a "bad deal" for New Zealand, Winston Peters, whose New Zealand First is a coalition partner in the National-led government, said his country has given too much away in signing the FTA, particularly on immigration. He said New Zealand has failed to secure enough in return for the country's citizens, including on dairy.
The India-New Zealand FTA will facilitate a "high-quality economic partnership with an aim to promote employment, enable skill mobility, drive trade and investment-led growth, foster innovation for agricultural productivity, and enhance MSME participation to strengthen long-term economic resilience."
Taking it to social media post on X, “We undertook initial scoping and broad discussions on the overall approach, contours, macro objectives and modalities as part of preparations for the launch of CEPA negotiations.”
The two sides also reaffirmed their shared ambition to conclude negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement by the end of this year and to accelerate negotiations on the Investment Protection Agreement and the Agreement on Geographical Indications.
The meeting focused on reviewing progress on the India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and strengthening bilateral trade and investment relations.
