India, New Zealand begin fourth round of FTA talks, focus on goods, services and rules of origin

India and New Zealand began the fourth round of negotiations towards a free trade agreement, with the Indian team visiting Auckland until November 7, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced on Monday (November 3, 2025).

“Negotiations in this round are focusing on key areas, including trade in goods, trade in services, and rules of origin,” the statement added. “Both sides are working constructively to build on the progress achieved in earlier rounds, to reach convergence on outstanding issues and move towards the early conclusion of the FTA.”

Rules of origin, which determine the source of any product, are a key obstacle in India’s FTA negotiations with the European Union as well.

The negotiations on the FTA with New Zealand were launched on March 16 by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Todd McClay, Minister for Trade and Investment, New Zealand.