The recently concluded India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has emerged as a significant milestone in advancing India’s traditional medicine systems on the global stage. The agreement places Ayush at the heart of international cooperation in holistic healthcare, while creating new opportunities for trade, professional mobility, and institutional partnerships.
The FTA was formally signed by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and New Zealand’s Minister for Trade and Investment Todd McClay, reflecting a shared commitment to deepen economic as well as knowledge-based collaboration between the two countries.
A key highlight of the agreement is the inclusion of a dedicated Health and Traditional Medicine Annexe—an unprecedented step in a bilateral trade pact. This provision opens the door for greater engagement in Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homoeopathy, while formally recognising India’s traditional wellness systems alongside indigenous Māori health practices.
The agreement is expected to significantly enhance market access for Ayush practitioners and wellness institutions, encouraging medical value travel, research collaboration, and expansion of India’s growing wellness ecosystem abroad.
Another major outcome is the creation of structured mobility pathways for Indian professionals. A dedicated visa quota will enable qualified Ayush practitioners, yoga instructors, and other wellness experts to work in New Zealand for extended periods, strengthening India’s position as a global hub for traditional knowledge-based services.
The FTA also lays emphasis on long-term cooperation in education, training, and standards development in traditional medicine, reinforcing a shared vision of sustainable and people-centric healthcare.
With this agreement, India’s Ayush sector moves closer to global mainstream healthcare systems, marking a decisive step in transforming traditional knowledge into an internationally recognised pillar of wellness and preventive medicine.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
