India's view of the world · A factual referenceLast updated 12 May 2026 · Edition 04
COUNTRY RELATIONSHIP · NEW ZEALAND
India & New Zealand
ENHANCED PARTNERCOMMONWEALTHEDUCATION HUBFTA UNDER NEGOTIATION
India and New Zealand share a modern partnership built on Commonwealth ties, a large and rapidly growing Indian diaspora, and strong education and trade links. The Indian community in New Zealand — approximately 250,000 strong and the country's largest non-European ethnic group — has transformed the bilateral relationship through political representation, business, and cultural influence. Both countries are working toward an FTA, while cooperation on agriculture, education, and climate in the Pacific bring additional dimensions to a relationship that has grown significantly in warmth and substance since the 2000s.
COOPERATION AREAS
Where India and New Zealand actually work together
5 active areas of cooperation, as of July 2026. Click any card for the full brief.
TRADE & INVESTMENT
By the numbers
Estimates for FY 2023-24. Trade is growing but bilateral volumes remain modest. Services (IT, education) are significant but not fully captured in goods trade statistics. Source: DGFT, MEA.
~$1bn
Total bilateral trade in goods
~$450m
India exports to country
~$550m
India imports from country
Trade trajectory · USD bn
$1.02bnin 2023 · click a bar to compare years
TOP TRADED ITEMS
AGREEMENTS & MILESTONES
The relationship since 1952, in 7 dates
CURRENT STATE
Where things stand, 2026
The India-New Zealand relationship is warm and growing, driven principally by the large diaspora, strong education ties, and mutual interest in Pacific stability. The FTA remains unresolved, with dairy market access for New Zealand and services/mobility for India as the central sticking points. The relationship has broadened well beyond its Commonwealth roots into a substantive modern partnership, though it remains less institutionally deep than India's ties with Australia.
SIGNALS TO WATCH
On track / positive momentum
In progress / worth watching
Stalled or facing headwinds
Not yet started / unclear
QUICK FACTS
CapitalWellington
Population5 million
RegionOceania
Diplomatic tiesSince 1952
Indian diaspora~250,000
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