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Mandira Nayar
Mandira Nayar

KEY VISIT

New Zealand to support India's NSG, UNSC bids

PTI10_26_2016_000161B Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets the New Zealand PM John Key after their joint statement in New Delhi | PTI

India may have won more than the cricket series with New Zealand. The visit of New Zealand Prime Minister John Key is being seen as encouraging in terms of softening the country's stance on India's entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

New Zealand—while making it clear that it was not opposed to India's entry—had taken a principled stance against nuclear proliferation. “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,” said sources with the MEA.

The joint statement of the two countries also reflected New Zealand's support to India's NSG bid. “Prime Minister Key stated that New Zealand would continue to contribute constructively to the process currently underway in the NSG to consider India’s membership. New Zealand is committed to working with NSG members to reach a decision as soon as possible,'' read the statement.

It is also understood that New Zealand has conveyed to New Delhi that it would work with other members in the NSG. India on its part “acknowledged the importance to New Zealand of a strong non-proliferation and disarmament regime,” and “reiterated its commitment to the total elimination of all weapons of mass destruction including in particular nuclear weapons.''

New Zealand also reiterated its support to India's bid to become a member of the reformed UN Security Council. The visiting prime minister said: "I reiterated to Prime Minister Modi about New Zealand's consistence support for India to become a member of the reformed UN Security Council, including if this means expansion of the UNSC."

The two countries also promised to strengthen security and intelligence cooperation against terrorism and radicalisation, including in the domain of cyber security. Also on the cards is enhanced cooperation, including in the East Asia Summit process. 

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Topics : #NSG

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