Todd McClay: Trade Minister on India and New Zealand starting the first round of Free Trade Agreement negotiations - Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

A Kiwi negotiation team is in India this week, holding our first in-person Free Trade Agreement talks.

Trade Minister Todd McClay says it's an important step in our relationship with one of the world's fastest growing economies.

He says this will be the first of many meetings with New Zealand.

McClay explained India is also holding talks with the US, UK, EU and others over this week and the next.

"That's why I thought to send our people up - rather than either drag them down here or miss the opportunity to have the very first in-person negotiations."

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