2026 definitely begins on an upbeat note for India’s trade strategy, which has weathered adverse headwinds due to the tariff disruption of US President Donald Trump. The search for alternative markets through more free trade agreements (FTAs) will gather pace this year, including prospects for a big-ticket trade deal with the European Union by end-January and the US in the first quarter. The conclusion of negotiations with New Zealand was in fact the seventh FTA since the ruling dispensation assumed office in 2014. India has so far concluded 18 FTAs and the only major trade partner that is out of the web of such deals is China.

There is an interesting suggestion in this regard that once the deal with New Zealand comes into effect this year, India would have........

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