India, New Zealand FTA Makes Concrete Progress; Dairy Cooperation in Focus

India and New Zealand have discussed their enhanced relationship across a broad range of domains, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement on Friday. He asserted that both countries have agreed that they should be doing more together.

Peters noted that over the past 18 months, New Zealand and India had made concrete steps towards closer engagement across a wide range of domains including defence and security, trade and economic cooperation science and technology and sport.

“New Zealand and India have agreed that we can and should be doing more together,” Peter said. “Both countries have worked hard over the last 18 months to bring energy, focus and deeper practical cooperation to the relationship,” he added further.

Peters paid an Official Visit to India from 29-30 May, 2025. This was his third visit to India. He had earlier visited India as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister in March 2024 and February 2020. While in New Delhi, Peters also held official talks and had a working dinner with External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

The FM asserted that his meeting with Jaishankar was invaluable not only in terms of understanding Indian perspectives on recent events but also charting their course for enhanced bilateral cooperation. External Affairs Ministry informed that the two sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. They also affirmed their shared commitment to a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

As reported by Outlook Business earlier, New Zealand and India announced the launch of negotiations towards a comprehensive free trade agreement in March as an effort towards concluding ongoing trade deals amid trade war fears. During the month, India engaged with over 10 trade partners, including the European Union (EU).

Describing the negotiations on a comprehensive free trade agreement as a "breakthrough" in India-New Zealand economic relationship, Peters on Friday said, "we are not in it to enrich ourselves, we are in it to enrich both peoples."

Peters also elaborated on the trade talks, and said he "understands the concern" of the dairy industry in India, according to a PTI report. "You need 35% more food in the next 35 years, and our country, rather than being an opponent, can be a serious help, to drive up your productivity in the dairy industry, to bring about better performance, better breeding, better outcomes, better production."

In his address, the Peters also said that despite India's economic scale, "it remains only our 12th largest partner in trade, accounting for just 1.5% of our exports."

His visit to India concluded a four-country tour which also included trips to Australia, Sri Lanka and Nepal.