India, NZ talks to boost trade and defence ties

New Delhi: India and New Zealand on Tuesday discussed a host of international, regional and bilateral issues with a focus on boosting trade between the two sides and working towards the early conclusion of a Free Trade

Agreement.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his counterpart Johan Key held talks during which the two deliberated upon the enhanced engagement across a range of trade and economic sectors, including science and innovation, education and defence.

The two sides also inked two pacts, Audio-Visual Co-Productions to build on existing film industry links and Science and Innovation Protocol for Cooperation.

"India welcomes increased trade and investment flows between India and New Zealand and would like to expand our trade significantly beyond current levels. The Prime Minister and I reviewed the status of our negotiations on the bilateral Free Trade Agreement. These are proceeding well and in the right direction," Singh told after the meeting.

He said New Zealand, like India, has a stake in ensuring the safety of sea lanes of communications and combating piracy and "we have agreed to explore possibilities for greater cooperation in these areas."

Key, who was accompanied by Trade Minister Hon Tim Groser, Member of New Zealand Parliament Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi and a high level business delegation, is on a three-day visit to India.