Newsroom24x7 Staff

New Delhi: Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi today announced that India and New Zealand have agreed that actions by both governments should promote greater business connectivity, including through movement of skilled professionals, between their two economies and societies.

Modi was delivering the joint press statement with Prime Minister of New Zealand John Keyat Hyderabad House here today.

Modi said that both countries have agreed to continue to work closely towards an early conclusion of a balanced and mutually beneficial Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement.

Trade and Investment ties have been one of the key areas of our conversation, underscrored the Indian Prime Minister. He said the both have recognized the need for greater economic engagement in order to effectively respond to the growing uncertainties in global economy and, agreed that expanding business and commercial ties should continue to be one of the priority items of our partnership.

Modu said that he is sure that the large business delegation accompanying Prime Minister Key will not only witness first hand the investment opportunities in India but their interactions will also build new commercial partnerships between the two countries.

Modi especially focussed attention on food processing, dairy and agriculture, and related areas in their supply chain and said these are some of the areas of particular potential for bilateral cooperation. New Zealand’s strength and capacity in these sectors can combine with India’s vast technology needs to build partnerships that can benefit both our societies, he added.

Modi thanked New Zealand for exending support to India for joining a reformed UN Security Council as a permanent member. He spoke of India’s contribution to the developmental efforts of the Pacific Island countries, and said we will continue to consult closely with New Zealand to complement and supplement each other’s efforts.

The Prime Minister also thankful Key for New Zealand’s constructive approach to the consideration of India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

Drawing attention to the problem of terrorism, Modi said it remains one of the greatest challenges to global peace and security. Today, the financial, logistical and information networks of terror span the entire globe. The barriers of geography do not safeguard against the threat of radicalization and terrorism. Nations who believe in humanity need to coordinate their actions and policies to counter this threat.

Prime Minister Key and I have agreed to strengthen our security and intelligence cooperation against terrorism and radicalization, including in the domain of cyber security, announced Modi.