Helping to vote through a new India trade deal could be in Labour's best interests in an election year

The Free Trade Agreement lowers or removes tariffs on 95 percent of exports.

But New Zealand First's taken issue with some components, including the lack of progress for dairy exports - and claims it gives too much away on immigration.

Political commentator Peter Dunne says Labour has a large Indian constituency - which could perceive a lack of support as an anti-India move.

He says that doesn't mean the party has to support every detail or say it hasn't gone far enough - but its own Indian voters likely wouldn't approve of Labour playing too much politics with this.