Renewed NZ–India FTA Negotiations 2025: Assessing the Prospect of a Limited IP Chapter

Khushbu Kumari, Nikita Melashchenko · NZCIEL · (15 April 2025) · submission · source ↗︎

This submission examines the possibility of including a limited intellectual property (IP) chapter in the NZ–India Free Trade Agreement under the 2025 negotiations. It outlines New Zealand’s interest in IP protection to safeguard its innovative industries and trade interests, while recognising India’s historical preference for adhering to baseline TRIPS obligations and avoiding additional contentious measures. Drawing on the example from India’s TEPA the submission argues for a limited, cooperative IP chapter that includes TRIPS acknowledgement, an issue resolution mechanism and a review mechanism. This balanced approach would ensure mutual benefits without overburdening either party, while also providing a foundation for future negotiations.