Petal Dhillon: The Woman Behind India-New Zealand FTA Deal

New Delhi: India and New Zealand have successfully concluded negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), marking a significant milestone in bilateral trade. The agreement will allow Indian goods to enter the New Zealand market duty-free, while New Zealand has committed to investing $20 billion (over ₹1.6 lakh crore) in India over the next 15 years.

What makes this deal particularly remarkable is that the Indian negotiation team was entirely led by women, with Joint Secretary Petal Dhillon at the helm. Dhillon, a 2002 batch Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) officer, currently serves as Joint Secretary in the Department of Commerce—a position she assumed in February 2025 for a five-year term.

Academic and Professional Background
Petal Dhillon boasts an impressive educational pedigree. She completed her schooling at DPS, RK Puram, and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics (Honors) from Miranda House, Delhi University. She further holds a Master’s degree in Finance and Business from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and a Master’s in Public Administration from Harvard University.

Dhillon began her career in 1995 as a Senior Consultant in the private sector, working for six years before joining the Indian government. She has since held numerous key positions: 11 years as Deputy Secretary, Director in the Department of Economic Affairs (handling bilateral and multilateral affairs), and advisor to the Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In 2020, she joined the Ministry of Railways as Executive Director of Business Development before moving to the Commerce Department in 2025.

Expertise in Trade Agreements
Dhillon is widely recognized as a key architect of India’s trade negotiations. She recently led the India-New Zealand FTA talks and has played a major role in other agreements, including the India-Sri Lanka Economic & Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) and serving as Chief Negotiator for the India-Australia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA).

Other Responsibilities
In addition to trade negotiations, Dhillon oversees India’s export infrastructure and related schemes. She manages the EP (LSG) division, responsible for leather and footwear exports, and serves as Central Nodal Officer (CNO) for national missions such as the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in various states.

With her leadership, strategic vision, and deep expertise, Petal Dhillon has become a driving force behind India’s international trade initiatives, strengthening the country’s economic ties with the world.