New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Thursday announced that 57 per cent of the country’s exports to India will be “tariff-free from day one” under the proposed India-New Zealand trade deal, a day ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic two-day state visit to the country.Taking to social media platform X, Luxon said the agreement would provide a major boost to New Zealand businesses by expanding their access to the Indian market.”New Zealand businesses are set to boom with our India Trade Deal.” He added, “57% of everything we export to India will be tariff free from day one.”The announcement comes ahead of Prime Minister Modi’s visit to New Zealand from July 10 to 11, which follows an invitation from his Kiwi counterpart. The visit marks the first state visit by an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand in nearly four decades.Earlier, while announcing PM Modi’s maiden official visit to New Zealand, Luxon had said on X, “I’m delighted to announce that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make his first official visit to New Zealand next week.” Highlighting the significance of India for New Zealand’s economy, Luxon said the relationship between the two countries was entering a new phase through the trade agreement. “We are taking the two countries’ relationship to the next level with our New Zealand-India Free Trade Agreement, signed in April, which will deliver more jobs, higher exports and stronger economic growth for New Zealand,” he said.Luxon also underlined the market access that the agreement would provide for New Zealand exporters. “Bringing more money into Kiwi communities, creating jobs and lifting wages.”According to the announcement, the agreement will open opportunities for New Zealand goods and services by providing access to a consumer market of 1.4 billion people.India and New Zealand signed the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) earlier this year to deepen bilateral trade, boost investment and expand cooperation across goods and services. Under the framework, all Indian exports will receive duty-free access to the New Zealand market.For India, the agreement is expected to strengthen its presence in a high-income Pacific economy as part of its broader Indo-Pacific economic strategy. For New Zealand, it provides greater access to one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies amid global trade uncertainty.During his visit to Auckland, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Luxon to review the full spectrum of India-New Zealand ties, with a focus on trade, commerce and defence cooperation. He is also expected to meet business and sports leaders and address the Indian diaspora.
