Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the gathering at the gala lunch organized during his visit to New Zealand. Starting his speech, he thanked New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon for his warm welcome and wonderful hospitality. He said that Prime Minister Luxon has given so much affection and affection that even the cold of Auckland is being felt less. The love and respect I received from the people of New Zealand during this trip will always be remembered.

Prime Minister Modi said that after Prime Minister Laxman’s visit to India last year, there has been new energy in the relations between the two countries. Due to his leadership, clear thinking and strong commitment, the friendship between India and New Zealand has got new momentum and new direction. He said that after almost 40 years, an Indian Prime Minister is visiting New Zealand and this is the beginning of a new chapter in the relations between the two countries.

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India-New Zealand believe in democratic values- Modi

He said that both India and New Zealand believe in democratic values ​​and this brings the two countries closer to each other. In the last few years, relations between the two countries have strengthened rapidly. In today’s meeting, both the countries discussed in detail how to deepen and broaden cooperation. Prime Minister Modi said that India and New Zealand have taken a historic decision to take their relations to the level of strategic partnership. Under this, both the countries will move forward in every field with clear goals and concrete results.

What did Modi say on free trade agreement?

Prime Minister Modi said that this year both the countries have signed a free trade agreement in record time. This will open new opportunities for industries, farmers and youth of both the countries. He said that India and New Zealand are working together not only in trade but also in the fields of trust, technology and talent. Trade between the two countries has increased by more than 50 percent in the last three years and it is expected that the Free Trade Agreement will form a strong basis for doubling trade in the next five years. He also welcomed New Zealand’s commitment to invest $20 billion in India. Prime Minister Modi said that this will give New Zealand companies an opportunity to become long-term partners in India’s development journey.

PM Modi about agriculture, dairy and food processing

Prime Minister Modi said that both the countries are converting their strengths into practical cooperation. In the field of Fintech, work is being done to connect India’s UPI and New Zealand’s payment system. This will benefit the people and businesses of both the countries. He said that both the countries have also prepared a strong plan for cooperation in the fields of agriculture, dairy and food processing. Farmers and cattle herders will get direct benefits from this. Referring to the medical field, Prime Minister Modi said that both India and New Zealand have rich traditions in this field. Both countries have agreed to increase the role of traditional medicine in health cooperation.

PM Modi on defense and security cooperation

Talking about defense and security cooperation, Prime Minister Modi said that the growing cooperation between the two countries is a symbol of their strong strategic trust. The defense cooperation agreement signed last year has given a strong foundation to the relations between the two countries. Today both the countries have agreed on a new framework for maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. Bilateral naval exercises, logistics cooperation and cooperation in the field of hydrography will further strengthen the coordination between the two countries.

PM Modi’s opinion about Indian community

Prime Minister Modi said that the biggest strength of the relations between the two countries is the people-to-people ties. The Indian community has created a special identity in New Zealand with its hard work and talent. He expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Luxon, the New Zealand government and the people there for the care and support of the Indian community. He said that the cultural cooperation agreement signed today will give a new impetus to the exchange between the two countries in the field of art, culture, heritage and creative industries. He said that New Zealand has been an important education hub for Indian students and India invites New Zealand universities to open their campuses in India.

Mention of sports relations between India and New Zealand

Prime Minister Modi said that this year the 100th anniversary of sports relations between India and New Zealand is being celebrated. Hundred years ago, the Indian hockey team under the leadership of Major Dhyan Chand created history by touring New Zealand. This still inspires the sports relations between the two countries. On this occasion, many sports competitions are being organized in both the countries. Apart from cricket, Sports Joint Action Plan has been prepared to increase cooperation in other sports also. Recently, it has made a good start through the coaching program of New Zealand Rugby and Rugby India in Bhubaneswar.

PM’s views against terrorism

Talking on global issues, Prime Minister Modi said that India and New Zealand are trusted partners and close friends on the world stage. Both countries believe that there is a need for reform in many global institutions including the United Nations so that the challenges of the present time can be faced in a better way. To strengthen cooperation against terrorism, both the countries have decided to form a joint working group. Prime Minister Modi said that cooperation between India and New Zealand is very important for peace, stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region.

PM Modi wishes Maori New Year Matariki

At the end of his address, Prime Minister Modi wished the people of New Zealand a happy Maori New Year Matariki. He said that the constellation which is called Matariki in New Zealand has been known as Krittika Nakshatra in India since ancient times. He expressed confidence that this festival of Matariki will make the relations between the two countries shine like stars. After Prime Minister Modi’s speech, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon thanked him. He said that he is grateful for Prime Minister Modi’s friendship, commitment and cooperation. He said that just as teamwork and trust are essential in rugby, India and New Zealand will also move forward with mutual trust. He said that both the countries are part of the same team and hence they will face challenges together.

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India-New Zealand Free Trade Deal: The free-trade deal (FTA) between India and New Zealand was finalized on Monday. This Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries was signed in the presence of Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand’s Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay.

This agreement will take the economic relations between the two countries to a new level. Its objective is to increase trade between the two, to provide duty free access to the New Zealand market to Indian exporters and to attract investment of $ 20 billion in the next 15 years.

What is FTA?

A free trade agreement or free-trade agreement is an agreement or a deal between two or more countries, under which the custom duty on various types of traded goods is to be eliminated or greatly reduced. Due to this, goods become cheaper, which increases the demand for local goods in foreign markets and exporters and companies benefit from this.

FTA is not limited to just goods, but also aims to make it easier for professionals like doctors and engineers to move from one place to another. Under this, investment rules are also made easier.

Its benefits for India

• 100% duty-free access- New Zealand has abolished the custom duty on 100% of Indian products or 8284 items. According to PIB, textile, leather, pharmaceutical and engineering products will directly benefit from this.
• Investment of 20 billion dollars- New Zealand is going to invest 20 billion dollars in India’s manufacturing, infrastructure and agri-tech industry in the next 15 years. It is obvious that this will increase employment opportunities in the country and India will move towards reaching new heights.
• Trade will double – Both the countries are aiming to increase mutual trade from the current 2.4 billion dollars to 5 billion dollars in the next 5 years.
• Visa and employment opportunities- New Zealand will issue 5000 special visas every year for Indian engineers, doctors, healthcare professionals. In this, for the first time, priority has also been given to AYUSH doctors, yoga trainers and Indian chefs.

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On one hand, countries around the world are in tension due to the ongoing conflict and tension between America and Iran in the Middle East. The tension between the two countries in the Strait of Hormuz has made the situation of global trade more serious. Meanwhile, a good news has emerged for India, the world’s fourth largest economy country, and that good news is that after a long time of negotiations and discussions, India is finally going to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with New Zealand. This big agreement between the two countries will be finalized tomorrow i.e. Monday (April 27, 2026).

FTA will be signed in Bharat Mandapam

According to the report of news agency PTI, the governments of India and New Zealand will sign this very important agreement on Monday (April 27, 2026). The main objective of this deal is to double the trade between the two countries. There have been serious discussions regarding FTA between the two countries for a long time and these talks were completed last year on December 22, 2025. Nearly four months after the end of intensive discussions between the two countries, the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is about to be signed.

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According to the report, this important agreement will be signed at Bharat Mandapam in the country’s capital Delhi. During this time, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand’s Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay will be present in the program. After signing this agreement, Indian companies will get duty-free access to New Zealand and through this, investment of 20 billion dollars will come to India in the next 15 years.

India will get these benefits from FTA

After signing of FTA with New Zealand, investment of 20 billion dollars will come to India in the next 15 years. There will be an increase in the facility of temporary employment visa for Indian professionals, while there will be ease in the export of Indian medicines and medical equipment.

However, it is worth noting that in the interest of domestic farmers and agro-based industries, India is keeping things like dairy, edible oil, vegetables out of the scope of this Free Trade Agreement (FTA). According to the report, India and New Zealand have set a target of increasing their trade to 5 billion dollars in the next five years through this Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

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The draft of the historic Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union (EU) has been prepared. According to Reuters report, as soon as this agreement comes into force, both will give each other Most Favored Nation (MFN) status. This means that both sides will be bound by the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and will not be able to impose any new export-import ban apart from the global rules.

This agreement has been reached after a long process of almost 2 decades. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has termed this agreement as a new blueprint for shared prosperity. European Union (EU) President Ursula von der Leyen has described it as a free trade area of ​​2 billion people, which will further strengthen the economic security of the world.

European markets will be fully opened for India
This agreement will phase out or reduce tariffs on 96.6 percent of products based on trade value. EU will open 99.5 percent of its market to India. Tariffs on most products will become zero immediately or within a maximum of 7 years. India will remove tariffs from 96 percent of goods of trade value.

Agriculture sector out of this agreement
Let us tell you that this process will be completed in a phased manner in the next 10 years. Both sides have kept sensitive agricultural sectors like dairy, rice, sugar and beef out of this agreement so that the interests of local farmers can be protected. This agreement is expected to bring huge economic benefits to both the parties. Indian exporters’ textiles, leather, gems and jewelery and seafood will get immediate zero-tariff access to the European market.

Cooperation on digital business also
At the same time, European car manufacturers and liquor producers will get the benefit of huge duty cuts in the Indian market. It is estimated that by 2032, European exports to India will double and European companies will save approximately 4 billion euros annually. Apart from tariffs, it has been agreed to make food security WTO compliant.

Apart from all this, both sides have committed to deepen digital business cooperation, in which privacy is considered a fundamental right. However, both countries will retain their rights on personal data protection and cross-border data flow.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left for Israel tour. This is his second visit to Israel after 2014. The main basis of this visit is his fixed program, which includes addressing the Parliament and many important meetings. Prime Minister Modi will address the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset. He will become the first Indian Prime Minister to do so. During this visit, he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will review the progress of India-Israel strategic partnership.

The two leaders will discuss topics of people-to-people cooperation including science and technology, innovation, defense and security, agriculture, water management, trade and economy. There will also be an exchange of views on regional and global issues.

Arrival time and reception

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has released the program of Prime Minister Modi. Prime Minister Modi will reach Israel on Wednesday at 12.45 pm local time. Prime Minister Netanyahu will welcome him at Ben Gurion Airport.

Meeting at the airport and departure to Jerusalem

There will be a short meeting between the two leaders in the airport premises. After this both will leave for Jerusalem.

Reception at the Knesset at 4.30 pm

Prime Minister Modi will be officially welcomed in the Israeli Parliament Knesset at 4.30 pm. After this he will address the full house of the Knesset. Before that, Prime Minister Netanyahu will address.

Dinner at 7.30

At 6 pm, Prime Minister Modi will attend an innovation program in Jerusalem. After this, an official dinner will be organized at King David Hotel at 7.30 pm.

Thursday morning visit to the Holocaust Memorial Center

On Thursday, February 26, at 9 am, both the leaders will visit Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Center.

Big meeting and agreements at 11 am

There will be a big meeting between the two leaders at King David Hotel at 11 am. After this, already prepared agreements will be exchanged.

joint statement and return

Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Netanyahu will issue a joint statement in front of the media. Prime Minister Modi is likely to return to India from Israel at 2 pm on Thursday.

talk of forming regional groups

Earlier, the Israeli Prime Minister had said that Israel wants to form a group of this region and surrounding countries. This may include India, Greece, Cyprus and some Arab, African and Asian countries.

Negotiations begin on free trade agreement

Before Prime Minister Modi’s visit, the first round of talks on Free Trade Agreement between India and Israel had started from 23 February. The Term of Reference was signed in Tel Aviv in November 2025. According to the Commerce Ministry, the total trade between the two countries in the financial year 2024-25 stood at US $ 3.62 billion. India and Israel are considered to complement each other in many areas.

India has signed a free trade agreement with the European Union and talks with America regarding the deal are also in the final stages. Meanwhile, India is also going to sign a big trade agreement with its close country Israel soon. Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar on Saturday (January 31, 2026), while mentioning the strong relations between the two countries, confirmed that a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) can be signed between India and Israel soon. He also said that both the countries have signed the rules for negotiating FTA.

First easy then complex issues will be discussed: Azar

The Israeli Ambassador said that an Indian delegation is going to visit Tel Aviv next month in February. During this, talks will be held between the officials of both the countries regarding FTA. In the initial phase, efforts will be made to resolve the minor issues between the two countries as soon as possible. After this, when all the simple issues are resolved, then complex issues will be raised and they will be discussed to reach consensus from both the parties. Azar has expressed hope that an agreement on trade between the two countries can be completed this year.

What did Israeli Ambassador Azar say on IMEC?

While discussing the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), Israeli Ambassador Reuven Azar said that Israel is emphasizing on creating logistics infrastructure to ease trade and reduce the cost of goods. He said, ‘We have a task force in Israel, which is working on building the necessary infrastructure to deal with logistics, because we want to make business easier. We want to reduce the cost of transportation and transportation of goods to the minimum level. I think this will bring economic prosperity for everyone.

He said, ‘We are hopeful that with India’s partnership and with other countries, under the leadership of America, we can make trade and business easier in many countries of the world, but in the meantime we have to do whatever we can to help the private sector in bringing and carrying goods and that is what we are doing.’

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America’s reaction has come to light on the historic Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union (EU). Since no final decision has been taken yet regarding the trade deal between India and America, the statement of the Trump administration is being considered important in many ways. American trade official and close to Trump, Jamieson Greer, said that India is going to be the biggest beneficiary of the deal with the EU.

India on top in deal with EU: Jamieson Greer

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said, ‘I have seen few details of this deal so far. To be honest, India seems to be benefiting from this. India is getting more access to the European market. Overall, India will remain on top. It is also possible that some immigration rights may also be given in this deal, so that Indian professionals and workers get more opportunities to work in European countries. He also said that due to the changing trade policy of America, a free trade deal has been signed between India and EU.

‘Because of America, Europeans are looking for another market’

In an interview given to American news channel Fox Business, he said, ‘It is important to understand that when America is limiting its market, then trade-dependent blocks like the European Union have to find other options. This is the reason why the European Union is turning towards a big market like India.

Greer criticized the EU, saying that while the US is trying to fix some of the problems of globalization, NATO is pushing for more globalization. He said, ‘It is important to understand that President Trump, giving priority to domestic production, started imposing tariffs on goods coming to our market from other countries. This is why these countries are looking for other markets for their goods. The European Union is so dependent on trade that it needs other markets, so it cannot send all its goods to America.

‘Europe did not put pressure on India regarding Russian oil’

The timing of Jamieson Greer’s statement is very important because a few days ago, US Finance Minister Scott Besant had targeted the European Union for not putting pressure on India regarding Russian oil. He said, it was because of American tariffs that India reduced the purchase of Russian oil because the European country refused to do so. They (EU) wanted to make a big trade deal with India.

US President Donald Trump has a habit of giving his opinion on every small thing. Be it a celebrity, an old complaint or a small event, Trump immediately posts the truth on social media or attacks in the old tweet style. But Trump’s silence on the historic Free Trade Agreement (FTA) deal between India and the European Union (EU) is surprising everyone. This deal was completed on January 27, which is being called the ‘Mother of All Deals’, but even after more than 24 hours, Trump did not say a word.

But why the silence on India-EU deal?

This deal is considered to be the answer to Trump’s tariff policy. Trump had threatened the EU on the Greenland issue and imposed 50% tariff on India for purchasing Russian oil. But now, when India and EU have added a market of 2 billion people, Trump is silent. A news agency wrote, ‘Trump’s silence is notable.’ His officials said ‘India came on top’, but Trump himself did not say anything.

Trump will take some big steps later

Experts say that this silence may be intentional. Perhaps Trump will take some big steps later. But considering his habits, this is surprising. Trump feels that this deal is challenging his policies or he is feeling ‘chilled’ that the world is moving forward without him.

Trump knows that social media is his strength. He often posts on Truth Social, where he gives his opinion or attacks on small things.

• Attack on Taylor Swift: In May 2025, Trump took a jibe at pop star Taylor Swift on Truth Social and wrote that Swift’s behavior was ‘immature’ and described it as childlike. This post came without any major reason, just out of old resentment of Trump. Experts called it childish behavior, but Trump reacted immediately.
• Petty Revenge and Midnight Rants: In January 2025, Trump attacked General Mark Milley and Chef José Andrés on Truth Social at midnight. This was based on old complaints. In May 2025, his posts were so vitriolic that Harvard lawyers used them in a court case.
• Long list of insults: Trump has insulted more than 598 people, places and things on X. Like attacking Nordstrom for his daughter’s clothing line (in 2017), or more recently calling his own supporters ‘weaklings’ on the Epstein case. In July 2025, he posted on old complaints, such as threatening to snatch someone’s citizenship.

When will Trump speak on India-EU deal?

Now Trump’s silence on the India-EU deal has become a topic of discussion across the world. If he speaks in the coming days, it will have to be seen what he says. Right now, his silence is the biggest statement. However, on this deal, American Trade Officer Jamieson Greer has said that India is going to get the biggest benefit of this agreement. According to him, this deal is tilted in favor of India in many ways. Greer said, ‘I have seen few details of the deal so far. To be honest, India seems to be benefiting from this. India is getting more access to the European market.

The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union (EU) has finally been completed on 27 January 2027. It is being called ‘Mother of All Deals’. Expressing happiness over this, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said, ‘I want to congratulate 140 crore Indian brothers and sisters. This is much more than FTA. This is an announcement of a deep partnership. India and EU will come together in many areas and work for a better future. This visit will prove to be a game-changer in the strategic partnership between India and EU and will bring change.

One third of the world’s population will benefit

Piyush Goyal said that this agreement is not limited to trade only. This is a sign of the strong partnership between the two sides, which account for 25% of global trade. This will increase defense cooperation. There will be a lot of investment. Cooperation in innovation and science will increase. There will be further integration in financial markets. This will create shared prosperity and a better future for one-third of the world’s population.

Piyush Goyal called it a ‘difficult journey’ and said that it is much bigger than FTA. This is extremely beneficial for the 1.4 billion people of India. Especially labour-intensive sectors like textile, agriculture and MSMEs will get easy access to the European market.

FTA signed in 16th India-EU Summit

The agreement was announced at the 16th India-EU Summit, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Council President Antonio Costa were present. European leaders participated as chief guests in the Republic Day parade.

What benefits will we get from FTA?

• 97% tariff on goods coming to India from EU will be reduced or eliminated.
• Up to 99% tariff exemption will be available on goods going from India to EU.
• There will be big relief on cars, wine, chocolate, pasta, medicines and car parts etc.
• Trade will increase on both sides, jobs will come and economies will strengthen.

This deal has been done after almost 18 years of long negotiations and is considered to be India’s biggest FTA. Piyush Goyal said that it is win-win (beneficial for both) and is expected to be implemented soon.

India EU Free Trade Agreement: After nearly two decades of negotiations, the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union has been finalized. Although it will take time for its full implementation and it is expected to become effective from next year, but the benefits of this deal are already in the news. Once the FTA is implemented, tariffs on about 97 percent of Indian products sent to Europe will be zero, which will lead to annual customs duty savings of about $4 billion in trade with the European Union. With this, many products coming to India from Europe will become much cheaper for Indian consumers.

The biggest impact of this agreement will be seen on food items. Currently, there is a 30 to 50 percent tariff on chocolate, cheese, pasta and other food products imported from Europe, which can be reduced to zero in a phased manner after the FTA. With this, these products will be available in the Indian market at much cheaper prices than before.

How cheap is it in India?

products	Current Tariff Rates (in Percentage)	Future Tariff Rates (in Percentage)
aircraft and spacecraft	11	0
Machinery and Electrical Equipments	44	0
Glasses, medical and surgical items	27.5	0
chemicals	22	0
plastics	16.5	0
motor vehicles	110	Quota up to 10 (250K)
iron and steel	22	0
medicines	11	0
beer	110	50
Liquor	150	20 (Premium Range) 30 (medium range)
Olive Oil and Vegetable Oil	45	0
Fruit Juice and Non-Alcoholic Beer	55	0
Processed fruits (breads, pastries, pasta and chocolates and pet foods)	50	0

Big relief on beer and liquor

A big relief is also expected in the prices of liquor and wine. At present, there is a heavy import duty of 100 to 150 percent on European liquor and wine. After FTA, this tariff may come down to the range of 20 to 30 percent, while in some categories it may be further reduced. Consumers will directly benefit from this and premium wine can now become more affordable.

Big changes will also be seen in the automobile sector. Currently, 70 to 100 percent import duty is imposed on European cars in India, due to which luxury cars become very expensive. After the agreement, the tariff on expensive cars can be reduced to about 40 percent in the first phase and further reduction is possible in future. With this, European cars like BMW, Mercedes, Audi will become comparatively cheaper in the Indian market.

Impact on agriculture and dairy sector

Impact will also be seen in agriculture and dairy sectors. Due to reduction in import duty on olive oil, processed food and some dairy products coming from Europe, their prices may come down. At the same time, Indian farmers and agri-exporters will also get better access to the European market, which will boost agricultural exports.

Overall, after the implementation of India-EU FTA, many everyday imported items will be available to Indian consumers at cheaper rates, while the huge market of Europe will become more open for Indian industry and exporters. This is expected to provide relief in prices as well as strengthen investment, employment and trade.

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