PM Key’s visit to India focusses on stronger trade ties
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key’s three-day visit to India focussed on strengthening the trade ties between the two countries.
Key and his wife Bronagh Key were welcomed by Minister of State for Finance Arjun Ram Meghwal on Tuesday, October 25 at the Palam Airforce Base in New Delhi. NZ High Commissioner to India Grahame Morton and Indian High Commissioner to NZ Sanjiv Kohli were also present at the occasion.
The prime minister, along with a delegation of more than 30 business and education leaders, former Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum, and Members of Parliament Mark Mitchell and Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi were expected to arrive in Mumbai, India on Monday, October 24. But due to faulty micro-switch in the Royal New Zealand Air Force Boeing 757-202, the delegation had to spend a night at Townsville, Australia, which led to the cancellation of the Mumbai leg.
On Wednesday, October 26, Key held bilateral talks with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi where they agreed to work towards Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA)—a term that, Key says, New Zealand used when they signed the Free Trade Agreement with Taiwan.
In a joint statement released after the meeting, Modi said, "Prime Minister Key and I have had detailed and productive discussions on all aspects of our bilateral engagement and multilateral cooperation.
"We both recognised the need for greater economic engagement in order to effectively respond to the growing uncertainties in the global economy... We have agreed to continue to work closely towards an early conclusion of a balanced and mutually beneficial CECA," he added.
Modi also said that food processing, dairy, agriculture and the related areas, including their supply chain, have a lot of scope for cooperation.
The two leaders also agreed for close coordination on a range of issues including international terrorism.
Observing the potential for the bilateral trade to grow, Key said both leaders are committed to creating a business environment in their respective countries, conducive to creating jobs and prosperity for the people.
"High-quality trade agreements will encourage that and Prime Minister Modi, and I agreed to work towards that goal through our bilateral free trade agreement negotiations and regional comprehensive economic partnership talks," said Key.
The New Zealand Prime Minister said that he understands that the discussions about the FTA are moving in the right direction, however, it might take some time to reach a common agreement on the conditions.
“The remarks he (Modi) made in his prepared statement…they were the most forward-leaning statements around the Free Trade Agreement we have heard out of the Indian government. He wants to make progress relatively rapidly, and he wants it to be comprehensive,” Key told the media after the meeting with Modi.
“It takes a bit of time to work out way through the system and there are some sensitivities, and we’ll have to continue to work on that. But this is an investment about not just what’s happening today but what’s going to happen to this economy over a reasonable period of time. And without [a] doubt we are making progress,” he added.
The negotiating teams will now have some clear written instructions as a result of the meeting, he said.
A ceremonial welcome
Earlier, Prime Minister Key was accorded a ceremonial red carpet welcome by his Indian counterpart Modi on Wednesday, October 26 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, where he also inspected a guard of honour. He was later called on by Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar before the formal talks between the two countries took place.
Earlier, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was meant to call upon Key but was replaced by Akbar, as she was unwell.
NZ acknowledges India’s interest in NSG membership
Talking about India’s bid to enter Nuclear Supplies Group (NSG), Key said that New Zealand would contribute constructively towards India’s membership of the elite club and assured of continued support to India's bid to become a member of the reformed UN Security Council.
Although expectations were high for Key to strongly support India’s interest to join NSG, there was no concrete outcome from the talks between the two prime ministers.
"I and Prime Minister Modi had a conversation about India's application to become a member of the Nuclear Suppliers' Group. I acknowledged the importance of India joining the NSG.
"I also stated that New Zealand will continue to contribute constructively to the process currently underway in the NSG to consider India's membership. New Zealand is committed to working with the NSG members to reach a decision and as soon as possible.
"I reiterated to Prime Minister Modi about New Zealand's consistent support for India to become a member of the reformed UN Security Council, including if this means expansion of the UNSC," said Key, adding that both leaders underlined their strong interest in advancing nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation.
The two countries also called for eliminating terrorist safe havens and infrastructure, disrupting terrorist networks, and stopping cross-border terrorism, while agreeing to further strengthen their political, defence, and security relationship.
During a joint statement delivered at Hyderabad House, the two leaders also agreed to enhance cooperation to combat the full spectrum of terrorist threats in all their forms and manifestations.
The outcome of Key's visit included an arrangement regarding food safety cooperation and third Protocol to the Convention for an avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion.
On trade, the two prime ministers agreed that the relationship between the two countries was strong with the two-way trade now worth $1.8 billion in goods and services annually, which was an increase of 42%in the past five years.
Universities New Zealand to strengthen ties with India
Maharashtra and Education New Zealand (ENZ) entered into a Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) for cooperation in higher and advanced education.
The SPA signed on October 26 signals a commitment to strengthening education cooperation and engagement at the university level in Maharashtra, advanced teaching, and research and management in member-institutions.
University of Otago Vice-Chancellor Harlene Hayne, who is also the Chair of Universities New Zealand, said the SPA provides a framework to explore academic opportunities between the two countries.
"It offers us an avenue to build institutional engagement between our universities through faculty relationships and exchanges, research and innovation collaborations, and information sharing," Hayne said.
ENZ Chief Executive Grant McPherson said the SPA is one of the several sector-led initiatives to enable New Zealand to continue attracting high-quality students from India besides supporting research and innovations between the two countries.
The agreement was signed by Vice Chancellor of University of Waikato Neil Quigley on behalf of Universities New Zealand and Maharashtra's Principal Secretary, Higher Education, Sitaram J. Kunte, at an event attended by education representatives from both the state and New Zealand.
Maharashtra has 24 universities with a turnout of around 160,000 graduates annually compared to New Zealand's eight universities with an output of 43,000 graduates each year.
Hayne said New Zealand offers a world-class university system.
The SPA with Maharashtra was one of the many education initiatives that were formally announced during Key's India visit.
CII hosts Prime Minister Key
Earlier at a business event organized by Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) Key said there was an enormous potential for bilateral trade.
He pointed out that New Zealand has a Free Trade Agreement with China and does "eight times more trade with China than it does with India".
Dinner hosted by NZ High Commissioner to India
Prime Minister’s busy schedule for the day came to an end with an evening dinner hosted by NZ High Commissioner to India, Grahame Morton.
It was an opportunity for the Prime Minister to interact casually with the business delegation and other guests present on the occasion.
Modi to visit NZ
In a statement released after his meeting with Modi, Key confirmed that Modi would be paying a reciprocal visit to New Zealand, but was unsure of when would that be.
The prime minister’s India visit concluded on Thursday, October 27. At the time of print, Key had visited Masjid-e-Jahanuma and Sees Ganj Gurudwara in old Delhi, and attended a Tourism NZ promotion event at Hyatt hotel in New Delhi with Bollywood star Sidharth Malhotra, Brendon McCullum and State Minister for Tourism, India Mahesh Sharma.
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key’s three-day visit to India focussed on strengthening the trade ties between the two countries.
Key and his wife Bronagh Key were welcomed by Minister of State for Finance Arjun Ram Meghwal on Tuesday, October 25 at the Palam Airforce Base in New Delhi. NZ High...
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key’s three-day visit to India focussed on strengthening the trade ties between the two countries.
Key and his wife Bronagh Key were welcomed by Minister of State for Finance Arjun Ram Meghwal on Tuesday, October 25 at the Palam Airforce Base in New Delhi. NZ High Commissioner to India Grahame Morton and Indian High Commissioner to NZ Sanjiv Kohli were also present at the occasion.
The prime minister, along with a delegation of more than 30 business and education leaders, former Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum, and Members of Parliament Mark Mitchell and Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi were expected to arrive in Mumbai, India on Monday, October 24. But due to faulty micro-switch in the Royal New Zealand Air Force Boeing 757-202, the delegation had to spend a night at Townsville, Australia, which led to the cancellation of the Mumbai leg.
On Wednesday, October 26, Key held bilateral talks with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi where they agreed to work towards Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA)—a term that, Key says, New Zealand used when they signed the Free Trade Agreement with Taiwan.
In a joint statement released after the meeting, Modi said, "Prime Minister Key and I have had detailed and productive discussions on all aspects of our bilateral engagement and multilateral cooperation.
"We both recognised the need for greater economic engagement in order to effectively respond to the growing uncertainties in the global economy... We have agreed to continue to work closely towards an early conclusion of a balanced and mutually beneficial CECA," he added.
Modi also said that food processing, dairy, agriculture and the related areas, including their supply chain, have a lot of scope for cooperation.
The two leaders also agreed for close coordination on a range of issues including international terrorism.
Observing the potential for the bilateral trade to grow, Key said both leaders are committed to creating a business environment in their respective countries, conducive to creating jobs and prosperity for the people.
"High-quality trade agreements will encourage that and Prime Minister Modi, and I agreed to work towards that goal through our bilateral free trade agreement negotiations and regional comprehensive economic partnership talks," said Key.
The New Zealand Prime Minister said that he understands that the discussions about the FTA are moving in the right direction, however, it might take some time to reach a common agreement on the conditions.
“The remarks he (Modi) made in his prepared statement…they were the most forward-leaning statements around the Free Trade Agreement we have heard out of the Indian government. He wants to make progress relatively rapidly, and he wants it to be comprehensive,” Key told the media after the meeting with Modi.
“It takes a bit of time to work out way through the system and there are some sensitivities, and we’ll have to continue to work on that. But this is an investment about not just what’s happening today but what’s going to happen to this economy over a reasonable period of time. And without [a] doubt we are making progress,” he added.
The negotiating teams will now have some clear written instructions as a result of the meeting, he said.
A ceremonial welcome
Earlier, Prime Minister Key was accorded a ceremonial red carpet welcome by his Indian counterpart Modi on Wednesday, October 26 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, where he also inspected a guard of honour. He was later called on by Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar before the formal talks between the two countries took place.
Earlier, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was meant to call upon Key but was replaced by Akbar, as she was unwell.
NZ acknowledges India’s interest in NSG membership
Talking about India’s bid to enter Nuclear Supplies Group (NSG), Key said that New Zealand would contribute constructively towards India’s membership of the elite club and assured of continued support to India's bid to become a member of the reformed UN Security Council.
Although expectations were high for Key to strongly support India’s interest to join NSG, there was no concrete outcome from the talks between the two prime ministers.
"I and Prime Minister Modi had a conversation about India's application to become a member of the Nuclear Suppliers' Group. I acknowledged the importance of India joining the NSG.
"I also stated that New Zealand will continue to contribute constructively to the process currently underway in the NSG to consider India's membership. New Zealand is committed to working with the NSG members to reach a decision and as soon as possible.
"I reiterated to Prime Minister Modi about New Zealand's consistent support for India to become a member of the reformed UN Security Council, including if this means expansion of the UNSC," said Key, adding that both leaders underlined their strong interest in advancing nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation.
The two countries also called for eliminating terrorist safe havens and infrastructure, disrupting terrorist networks, and stopping cross-border terrorism, while agreeing to further strengthen their political, defence, and security relationship.
During a joint statement delivered at Hyderabad House, the two leaders also agreed to enhance cooperation to combat the full spectrum of terrorist threats in all their forms and manifestations.
The outcome of Key's visit included an arrangement regarding food safety cooperation and third Protocol to the Convention for an avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion.
On trade, the two prime ministers agreed that the relationship between the two countries was strong with the two-way trade now worth $1.8 billion in goods and services annually, which was an increase of 42%in the past five years.
Universities New Zealand to strengthen ties with India
Maharashtra and Education New Zealand (ENZ) entered into a Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) for cooperation in higher and advanced education.
The SPA signed on October 26 signals a commitment to strengthening education cooperation and engagement at the university level in Maharashtra, advanced teaching, and research and management in member-institutions.
University of Otago Vice-Chancellor Harlene Hayne, who is also the Chair of Universities New Zealand, said the SPA provides a framework to explore academic opportunities between the two countries.
"It offers us an avenue to build institutional engagement between our universities through faculty relationships and exchanges, research and innovation collaborations, and information sharing," Hayne said.
ENZ Chief Executive Grant McPherson said the SPA is one of the several sector-led initiatives to enable New Zealand to continue attracting high-quality students from India besides supporting research and innovations between the two countries.
The agreement was signed by Vice Chancellor of University of Waikato Neil Quigley on behalf of Universities New Zealand and Maharashtra's Principal Secretary, Higher Education, Sitaram J. Kunte, at an event attended by education representatives from both the state and New Zealand.
Maharashtra has 24 universities with a turnout of around 160,000 graduates annually compared to New Zealand's eight universities with an output of 43,000 graduates each year.
Hayne said New Zealand offers a world-class university system.
The SPA with Maharashtra was one of the many education initiatives that were formally announced during Key's India visit.
CII hosts Prime Minister Key
Earlier at a business event organized by Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) Key said there was an enormous potential for bilateral trade.
He pointed out that New Zealand has a Free Trade Agreement with China and does "eight times more trade with China than it does with India".
Dinner hosted by NZ High Commissioner to India
Prime Minister’s busy schedule for the day came to an end with an evening dinner hosted by NZ High Commissioner to India, Grahame Morton.
It was an opportunity for the Prime Minister to interact casually with the business delegation and other guests present on the occasion.
Modi to visit NZ
In a statement released after his meeting with Modi, Key confirmed that Modi would be paying a reciprocal visit to New Zealand, but was unsure of when would that be.
The prime minister’s India visit concluded on Thursday, October 27. At the time of print, Key had visited Masjid-e-Jahanuma and Sees Ganj Gurudwara in old Delhi, and attended a Tourism NZ promotion event at Hyatt hotel in New Delhi with Bollywood star Sidharth Malhotra, Brendon McCullum and State Minister for Tourism, India Mahesh Sharma.
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