WELLINGTON -- New Zealand and India have agreed to start negotiations on a Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in April after a meeting between trade ministers of the two countries on Sunday.

"This announcement is a major breakthrough in the economic relationship between India and New Zealand," said New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, following extensive discussions in New Delhi between New Zealand Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay and his Indian counterpart Piyush Goyal.

India holds significant potential for New Zealand and will play a pivotal role in doubling New Zealand's exports by value over the next decade, Luxon said.

McClay said that alongside trade agreement negotiations, New Zealand will continue to invest in stronger, deeper, more sustainable connections with India across all pillars of the relationship.