The newly concluded India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is set to give a major global push to India’s traditional medicine systems, placing Ayush systems at the centre of a new framework for international cooperation and market access.
The agreement, signed by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand’s Trade Minister Todd McClay, marks a significant step in expanding India’s wellness footprint globally while strengthening bilateral economic ties.
A key highlight of the FTA is the inclusion of a dedicated Health and Traditional Medicine Annex, a first-of-its-kind provision in any trade pact between the two countries. This framework formally recognises India’s traditional systems under Ministry of Ayush – including Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy – as globally relevant healthcare practices, alongside indigenous Māori health traditions.
The agreement is expected to open new markets for Indian wellness services and institutions, facilitating greater engagement in areas such as preventive healthcare, medical value travel, and integrative medicine. The framework is expected to boost international collaborations, research partnerships and institutional linkages in the wellness sector.
One of the most notable provisions is the creation of structured mobility pathways for Indian professionals. The FTA introduces a dedicated visa quota that will allow Ayush practitioners and yoga instructors to work in New Zealand for extended periods, expanding employment opportunities and enhancing India’s position as a global supplier of skilled wellness professionals.
The Ayush Ministry said the pact also lays the groundwork for deeper cooperation in education, training, standards development and traditional knowledge systems, integrating ancient practices into a modern trade and regulatory framework.
The agreement is being seen as a major step in positioning Ayush as a pillar of global healthcare, advancing India’s vision of promoting holistic, sustainable and people-centric health solutions worldwide.
