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India's First Women-Led FTA: How a Historic Pact with New Zealand Was Forged

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed the new free trade agreement with New Zealand as a historic milestone. He specifically noted that it is India's first women-led FTA, with the negotiating team almost entirely comprised of women. The deal goes beyond simple tariff cuts, aiming to strengthen the broader economy and improve lives. It promises wide-ranging benefits, from farmers to professionals, and includes a massive $20 billion investment commitment.

Key Points: PM Modi Hails India New Zealand FTA as First Women-Led Trade Deal

  • The FTA eliminates duties on 100% of Indian exports to New Zealand
  • It includes a $20 billion investment commitment from New Zealand over 15 years
  • The deal expands opportunities in services, mobility, agriculture, and emerging sectors
  • The negotiating team was almost entirely comprised of women, a first for India
2 min read

Free trade pact with New Zealand India's first women-led FTA: PM Modi

PM Modi highlights the historic India-New Zealand FTA, negotiated primarily by women, which eliminates duties on all Indian exports and secures a $20 billion investment.

"The India-New Zealand FTA is a historic milestone as it is India’s first women-led FTA. – Prime Minister Narendra Modi"

New Delhi, Dec 23

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is a historic milestone, as it is India’s first women-led FTA where almost the entire negotiating team comprised women.

PM Modi shared an article written by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, which explains that India’s FTAs today go well beyond tariff reductions, forming part of a broader mission to strengthen the economy and improve the lives of millions.

“He highlights that the India-New Zealand FTA is a historic milestone as it is India’s first women-led FTA. Almost the entire negotiating team comprised women", the Prime Minister stated.

Responding to a post by Goyal on X, the Prime Minister said that “In this insightful article, Union Minister Shri @PiyushGoyal explains that India’s FTAs today go well beyond tariff reductions, forming part of a broader mission to strengthen the economy and improve the lives of millions”.

The FTA reflects a defining moment in India’s trade diplomacy, opening new avenues for comprehensive economic cooperation. By securing improved market access for Indian goods, expanding opportunities in services and mobility, and deepening collaboration in agriculture, investment and emerging sectors, the Agreement delivers tangible and wide-ranging benefits across the economy.

The FTA eliminates duty on 100 per cent of Indian exports, along with a $20 billion investment commitment over 15 years to strengthen long-term economic and strategic cooperation. New Zealand’s market access offer covers immediate elimination of duties (zero duty) on 100 per cent of tariff lines of New Zealand (8,284 tariff lines), from “Entry into Force” (EIF).

From farmers and MSMEs to students and skilled professionals, the gains from this Agreement are expected to be broad-based, reinforcing India’s position as a trusted, forward-looking global partner and advancing the vision of a globally integrated Viksit Bharat 2047, according to the government.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Zero duty on 100% of our exports? That's a massive win for our manufacturers. Hope this translates to more jobs and better prices for our goods in the international market. Well done to the team!
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Aman W
While celebrating the women-led team is important, I hope the actual benefits reach the ground level. We've signed FTAs before. The real test is monitoring the $20 billion investment and its impact on common people.
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Sarah B
As someone working in the services sector, the expanded opportunities mentioned are very promising. Mobility for skilled professionals is key. Hope this sets a template for future agreements with other countries.
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Karthik V
Good step for Viksit Bharat 2047. But what about the dairy and agriculture sector? New Zealand is a giant in dairy. We need to ensure our farmers are protected and get a fair deal, not just market access.
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Meera T
Jai Hind! A historic agreement indeed. The women who negotiated this deserve all the credit. This is a strong message about India's capabilities and its commitment to gender equality in the highest levels of policy-making. 👏

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