India has secured a strategic “Southern Anchor” through its newly concluded Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with New Zealand, sending a message of pragmatism and long-term partnership amid ongoing global trade uncertainty, according to a report.
The report noted that the deal lays the groundwork for a comprehensive bilateral economic partnership that aligns with India’s Act East and Indo-Pacific trade strategies, and strengthens cooperation between the world’s fastest-growing major economy and New Zealand.
The new FTA, concluded last month after negotiations that began in March 2025, is viewed as a key component of economic engagement in the Indo-Pacific region, complementing India’s existing trade pacts and enhancing market access while fostering investment and mobility opportunities.
The agreement also opens avenues for New Zealand private equity and businesses to invest in India’s consumer, infrastructure, green energy and digital sectors as part of New Delhi’s Vision 2047 goals, the report added.
With the pact set to be implemented later this year, India’s position as a reliable economic partner in a shifting global landscape is expected to be reinforced, offering stability and expanded cooperation amid geopolitical and trade uncertainties.
