Zillar Barta Desk : Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has explained how India has protected sensitive sectors under the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The agreement, signed on April 27, 2026, provides duty-free access for 100% of Indian exports to the New Zealand market, while India has retained exclusions for several sensitive product categories.
According to the government, India has offered tariff liberalisation on 70.03% of tariff lines, covering around 95% of bilateral trade value. However, nearly 30% of tariff lines have been kept outside the tariff-liberalisation commitments to safeguard sensitive domestic industries and agricultural interests.
The excluded products include major dairy items such as milk, cream, cheese, yoghurt and whey, along with several agricultural products including onions, chickpeas, peas, corn and almonds. Sugar, edible oils, certain animal and vegetable products, gems and jewellery, and selected metals are also among the categories protected under the agreement.
The agreement also follows a phased approach for several other products. Some tariff lines will see duties eliminated immediately, while others will undergo reductions over periods ranging from three to ten years. A small number of products, including apples, kiwifruit and Mānuka honey, are covered by tariff-rate quotas.
Goyal has stressed that the safeguards were designed to protect farmers, rural economies and domestic industries while opening new opportunities for Indian exporters. The FTA is scheduled to come into force on October 20, 2026, with Indian exports receiving duty-free access to New Zealand from the beginning of implementation.
The pact also includes a commitment from New Zealand to invest US$20 billion in India over 15 years, alongside cooperation in agriculture, manufacturing, services and technology.
