26 June 2011

New Zealand Prime Minister’s visit to India


New Zealand Prime Minister’s visit to India

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key arrives on a 5-day visit to India on 26 June, to discuss bilateral relations and a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries. Prime Minister Key arrives with a large delegation of senior ministers, diplomats and corporate leaders from New Zealand, who will meet their Indian counterparts, including Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Both countries will be aiming for a boost in bilateral trade –currently $1 billion – by expanding their avenues to industries such as aviation, film and steel. As New Zealand currently hosts nearly 12,000 Indian students, who bring in over $1 billion a year in tuition fees and living expenses, enhancing educational ties will also be on the agenda.

The visit will also help finalizing the current FTA, which has already gone through multiple rounds of negotiations, and help both countries move towards their 2014 goal for bilateral trade of $3 billion. Prime Minister Key is set to meet his Indian counterpart Dr.Manmohan Singh on Tuesday, June 28.

Photo Courtesy: SteveF/Wikimediacommons