According to NZ Herald report today, Groser announced the new development in Switzerland where he met India's Commerce Minister, Sri Anand Sharma at the World Trade Organisation meet.

Groser said a deal held "great promise" for New Zealand businesses and negotiators would target the high barriers to trade.

According to Stephen Jacobi, executive director of New Zealand International Business Forum, it was good news talks were finally under way after the lengthy process of studies leading up to them.

"We are knocking another big one off, but it will be challenging. This is negotiating with a very large partner and one which we don't have very well-developed trading relationship with," he said.