{"id":120345,"date":"2025-11-11T09:09:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-11T03:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=120345"},"modified":"2025-11-11T04:04:45","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T22:34:45","slug":"india-new-zealand-advance-fta-talks-and-aviation-partnership","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2025\/11\/11\/india-new-zealand-advance-fta-talks-and-aviation-partnership\/","title":{"rendered":"India, New Zealand Advance FTA Talks and Aviation Partnership"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

CHRISTCHURCH-<\/strong> India’s Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met Nikhil Ravishankar during his official visit to New\u202fZealand to negotiate the fourth round of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two nations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ravishankar, the newly appointed CEO of Air New Zealand (NZ)<\/a>, has stressed that the airline\u2019s performance is intimately bound to the nation\u2019s broader economic recovery and touched upon plans for improved aviation links and deeper trade ties between both countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"India,
Photo: Cammynz | Wikimedia Commons
https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Air_New_Zealand_A320neo_.jpg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

India New Zealand FTA\u202fProgress<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

India and New\u202fZealand are advancing discussions on a bilateral trade agreement aimed at building a sector\u2011specific pact that strengthens economic ties without compromising on sensitive issues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fourth round of FTA talks took place in Rotorua and Auckland over five days, with both sides reporting constructive engagement. India\u2019s merchandise trade with New\u202fZealand reached around USD\u202f1.3\u202fbillion in fiscal year\u202f2024\u201125, marking a growth of 48.6\u202fper\u202fcent compared to the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Appointed in October, Nikhil Ravishankar described himself as a \u201ctransformation expert\u201d and \u201csystems thinker\u201d as he took the reins in a particularly challenging period for the carrier and the country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ravishankar told the media his country was \u201cpotentially moments away\u201d from finalizing the deal, although he noted that in trade processes, \u201cmoments\u201d can stretch out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minister Goyal emphasized that the talks are being conducted in a spirit of enthusiasm and mutual respect and that the eventual deal would reflect the interests of both nations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: By Ian Kirby – Ian Kirby as seen on airliners.net, CC BY-SA 3.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=10404974<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Aviation Connectivity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The meeting between Goyal and Ravishankar placed particular emphasis on aviation as a vehicle for trade and mobility. Ravishankar signalled that Air\u202fNew\u202fZealand would act as a platform for Indian businesses to test products and services in New\u202fZealand before scaling globally. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He linked the airline\u2019s commercial success with its role as critical infrastructure supporting New\u202fZealand\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Goyal discussed India\u2019s expanding aviation sector and pointed to planned direct flights between Air India (AI) and Air\u202fNew\u202fZealand by 2028. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He described the airline meeting as “delighted to meet” Ravishankar and noted discussions on regional connectivity and future opportunities in the Indian aviation market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"India,
Photo: \tG B_NZ | Wikimedia Commons
https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Air_New_Zealand_A320_ZK-OJC_at_AKL_(27804562754).jpg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Strategic\u202fImplications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Air\u202fNew\u202fZealand\u2019s current challenges underline the urgency of strategic partnerships. The carrier expects a pre\u2011tax loss of up to NZD\u202f55\u202fmillion (USD\u202f~33\u202fmillion) for the six months ending December, following grounded aircraft\u2014some 11 jets or about one\u2011fifth of the fleet\u2014due to engine issues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heading costs rose as engine\u2011lease expenses and maintenance pressures mounted.
For New\u202fZealand the carrier\u2019s fortunes reflect broader national stakes: when the airline does well, so too does the economy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its performance depends on global market resilience, trading relationships with countries like China and the United States, and now, deepening links with India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

India stands to gain from improved access to New\u202fZealand markets and advanced connectivity. With trade already growing rapidly, the FTA and enhanced aviation ties could fuel supply\u2011chain resilience, boost services, and expand export potential in manufacturing, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and agri\u2011commodities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bilateral trade relationship exhibits strong momentum. India\u2019s exports to New\u202fZealand and New\u202fZealand\u2019s exports to India both show meaningful increases. New\u202fZealand currently ranks relatively low in India\u2019s export destination list, meaning there is room for substantial growth as trade ties deepen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sector\u2011specific opportunities include dairy, agriculture, food\u2011processing, and aviation services. New\u202fZealand\u2019s wool, iron and steel, fruit and nuts, and aluminium are among its key exports to India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

India\u2019s major exports to New\u202fZealand include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n