How Recent Government Agreements are Forging a New Era
“This document details a series of significant government agreements, both bilateral and multilateral, that India has entered into, spanning late 2024 and throughout 2025. These pacts aim to propel India’s economic growth, ensure national security, and advance self-reliance, contributing to the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India).”
India’s Bold New FTAs: Expanding Trade, Boosting Global Growth
India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
- Grants immediate zero-duty access for all Indian exports across all tariff lines.
- Eliminates tariffs up to 10% on certain products, boosting labor-intensive sectors.
- New Zealand pledges USD 20 billion investment into India over 15 years.
- Aims to double bilateral trade to USD 5 billion within five years.
- Offers new visa opportunities for skilled Indian professionals and students.
- India offered duty concessions on ~70.03% of tariff lines, safeguarding sensitive sectors.
India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)
- Formalized on December 18, 2025, India’s sixth free trade pact in five years.
- Oman offers duty-free access on 98.08% of tariff lines for India’s exports.
- India will liberalize tariffs on 77.79% of its tariff lines (94.81% of imports from Oman).
- Key Indian sectors to benefit: textiles, food processing, automobiles, gems & jewelry, renewable energy.
- Anticipated to boost bilateral trade (approx. $10.5 billion in FY25).
- Enhances mobility for Indian professionals and allows 100% FDI by Indian companies in Oman.
- Mirrors global trends like the Mercosur and European Union Strategic Partnership.
Boosting Investor Confidence: India’s Bilateral Investment Treaty with UAE
India-UAE Bilateral Investment Treaty (2024)
- Signed on February 13, 2024, entered into force on August 31, 2024.
- Aims to enhance bilateral investment flows and investor confidence.
- Establishes an independent forum for dispute resolution through arbitration.
- Provides protection against denial of justice, discriminatory treatment, and expropriation without fair compensation.
- Includes mandatory exhaustion of local remedies for three years before international arbitration.
- Expected to strengthen economic partnership, given UAE’s significant FDI in India.
Fortifying Security: India-US 10-Year Defense Partnership for Indo-Pacific Stability
US-India 10-Year Defense Framework Agreement (October 2025)
- Signed on October 31, 2025, setting a “new benchmark for regional stability.”
- Outlines expanded collaboration in intelligence sharing, joint military exercises, and advanced defense technology co-development.
- Specific cooperation in aerospace systems, naval operations, cyber defense, and semiconductor supply chain security.
- Blueprint for future defense industrial cooperation, joint research, and co-manufacturing.
- Builds upon previous foundational agreements like BECA (2020) and LEMOA (2016).
- Cornerstone of U.S. strategy for a free and open Indo-Pacific, complementing India’s role in the Quad.
Driving India’s Future: Key MoUs Catalyzing Growth & Innovation
Numerous Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are accelerating domestic growth, fostering innovation, and building indigenous capabilities, aligning with the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ vision.
Digital Skilling Programs
BSNL, Ericsson, Qualcomm, Cisco, Nokia partner for 5G, AI, ML, cybersecurity skilling for 2,000+ students annually.
Collateral-Free Loans for Shrimp Farming
NABARD, APGB, AquaExchange pilot IoT-enabled loan model, ₹25 crore to ~100 farmers, includes crop disease insurance.
Bharat Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
NPCIL and EIL MoU for BSMR conceptual design, targeting 100 GW nuclear power by 2047, smaller 55 MWe BSMR also under development.
Critical Mineral Self-Reliance
Oil India, IREL MoU under National Critical Mineral Mission; India-U.S. MoU to strengthen supply chains, diversifying sourcing.
Renewable Energy
India-Bhutan MoU for solar, wind, biomass, green hydrogen; UAE-Rajasthan for 60 GW project; ONGC Green & IIM Nagpur partnership; Google & ReNew Energy for 150 MW solar project.
Indigenous Automotive Technology
C-DAC, ICAT, Pure EV, CSIR-CECRI, IIT Roorkee, Maruti Suzuki, Ather Energy, Pavna Industries collaborate on EVs, ADAS, LIB tech, cybersecurity.
Nagpur Exhibition and Convention Center
MADC and Fira Barcelona International MoU for a world-class center in MIHAN, positioning Nagpur for trade, tourism, and technology.
“Leveraging international partnerships while fostering self-reliance and innovation.”
Conclusion: A Strategic Trajectory for India’s Future
The outlined India Government Agreements demonstrate India’s active shaping of its destiny through economic expansion (FTAs), fortified defense partnerships (US), and building domestic capabilities. These agreements reflect a pragmatic approach to global complexities, leveraging international partnerships while fostering self-reliance and innovation. By addressing energy security, climate change, digital transformation, and sustainable economic growth, India is positioning itself as a resilient and influential global player, impacting its trajectory for decades to come.
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