New Zealand has geniune interest in India's success: PM John Key

New Zealand supports India bid to join a reformed UN Security Council as a permanent member.

New Delhi: New Zealand Prime Minister John Key on Wednesday asserted his nation's commitment towards building a strong relationship with India.

Addressing a joint press conference with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, after both leaders held extensive delegation-level talks, Key said, “New Zealand and India already share a very strong relationship, be it in trade or cricket.”

“We have a genuine interest in India’s success and we intend to remain true and honest,” he added.

“We also agreed to continue close coordination on the range of security issues including international terrorism,” Key said.

On his part, PM Modi said that India is also committed to increase its engagement with New Zealand.

“We both recognized the need for greater economic engagement in order to effectively respond to the growing uncertainties in the global economy,” Modi said.

“Prime Minister Key and I have had detailed and productive discussions on all aspects of our bilateral engagement and multilateral cooperation. Food processing, dairy and agriculture and related areas in their supply chain are some of the areas of particular potential for cooperation,” he added.

Underlying the need for the world to come together to tackle terrorism, Modi said, “Terrorism remains one of the major challenges affecting global peace. PM Key & I agreed to strengthen security and intelligence cooperation against terror and radicalization including in cyber security.”

PM Modi also thanked New Zealand’s support to India joining a reformed UN Security Council as a permanent member.