India is set to enhance its international trade relations with the implementation of a free trade agreement (FTA) with New Zealand on October 20, 2026. This agreement, signed in April 2026, will allow Indian exports to enter New Zealand duty-free, benefiting sectors such as textiles, leather, footwear, engineering goods, and processed agricultural products.
In parallel, India is working towards finalizing a trade agreement with Canada by the end of the year. The India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is currently under negotiation, with talks addressing trade in goods and services, investment, rules of origin, intellectual property rights, and trade remedies. The fifth round of discussions occurred in Ottawa from October 5 to 9, and the next round is scheduled for early November in New Delhi.
India’s efforts to finalize these agreements are part of a broader strategy to diversify export markets and strengthen international trade ties amid evolving global trade policies. Besides its focus on New Zealand and Canada, India is also in trade negotiations with several other countries, including the United States, Israel, Chile, and Peru. Additionally, India is reviewing or aiming to upgrade existing agreements with Australia, ASEAN, South Korea, and Sri Lanka.
These strategic moves reflect India’s ambition to expand export opportunities for its businesses, positioning the country to leverage changing trade dynamics and enhance its economic footprint globally. As negotiations progress, the outcomes of these agreements could significantly impact India’s trade landscape, offering new avenues for growth and collaboration in the international market.