After having expressed reservations on the entry of Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) members like India in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), New Zealand on Wednesday conveyed to New Delhi that it would be ‘constructively’ engaged regarding India’s application for NSG membership.
During his bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his New Zealand counterpart John Key underlined that a process was underway within the NSG on the membership issue and his Government will not act as a barrier but facilitator for India.
“I am thankful to Prime Minister Key for New Zealand’s constructive approach to the consideration of India’s membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group,” Modi said in his media address after the talks.
During the NSG plenary session in June at Seoul, New Zealand, along with some other countries, had raised technical queries with regard to granting membership to those nations that have not signed the NPT and called for having some clarity on it.
“We are encouraged by the discussions on the NSG issue. New Zealand showed understanding of India’s clean energy needs and the importance of predictability in global rules on nuclear commerce in enabling the expansion of nuclear energy in India,” sources said after the talks.
Modi also sought Key’s support on India’s fight against terrorism and asked countries to unite against the menace. The two leaders agreed to strengthen security and Intelligence cooperation against terrorism and radicalization, including in the domain of cyber security.
The two countries signed three agreements relating to avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income, food safety cooperation, and cooperation in the field of sport and youth affairs. Besides, the two sides also decided to establish a Bilateral Ministerial Dialogue between two Foreign Ministries, have annual Foreign Ministry consultations at senior official level, and cooperation and dialogue on cyber issues.
The talks between Modi and Key also covered aspects of trade and investments. “We both 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,” Modi said.
He mentioned food processing, dairy and agriculture as some of the areas of potential collaboration. The two leaders agreed to promote greater business connectivity, including through movement of skilled professionals, between India and New Zealand. “In this regard, we have agreed to continue to work closely towards an early conclusion of a balanced and mutually beneficial Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement,” Modi said.
The talks happened at a time when India and New Zealand are engaged in a cricket series. Hence, it was natural for some cricketing terminology to enter the diplomatic conversation. “In a little while from now, our cricket teams will take the field in Ranchi for the fourth One Day International. In many ways some of the cricketing terminology reflects progress in our bilateral linkages. In our ties, we have moved from fielding at ‘long off’ to taking a fresh guard at the batting pitch. Defensive play has given way to aggressive batting,” Modi used cricket analogy to compare progress in India-New Zealand diplomatic ties.
Key thanked Modi for not raising his country’s poor performance in the series so far. “You have spoken about cricket taking place in India but were gracious enough not to be talking about the fact that India has been triumphing over New Zealand,” Key said. He added and went a step further by bringing in a reference of a Kiwi cricketer playing for Gujarat lions in the IPl.
“We are of course trying to build as warm and as close a relationship with India as we can and we have gone to the extraordinary lengths of ensuring that former Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum is now playing for Gujarat. So we are truly committed to the relationship between New Zealand and India,” Key said.