India-New Zealand can be partners in security, stability: Prez

\ New Delhi, Oct 27 (PTI) President Pranab Mukherjee has\said India and New Zealand can become partners for promoting\security, stability and prosperity in their regions and\beyond, as he welcomed visiting Kiwi Prime Minister John Key.\ Key called on the President at Rashtrapati Bhavan\yesterday.\ Mukherjee, while welcoming the PM and his delegation,\said India values its relationship with his country and the\sustained momentum of high level contacts reaffirms the\growing strength and dynamism of bilateral engagement between\India and New Zealand.\ The President, a Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesperson said,\said India and New Zealand share a unique bond based on shared\values and synergies, being two multicultural, vibrant\democracies that believe in and respect the rule of law.\ \\"New Zealand can be a key partner in India\\’s quest for\food security. Bilateral trade in goods and services hasearly doubled in the last eight years. Currently, total trade\in goods and services in 2015 amounted to USD 1.45 billion.\ \\"India and New Zealand can be partners in promoting\security, stability and prosperity in the region and beyond.\The two countries can work together in areas such as maritime\security and ensuring freedom of navigation and in countering\terrorism,\\" he said.\ The President added that there exists a strong desire\amongst the people of the two countries to improve relations.\ On his part, the spokesperson said, Key reciprocated\Mukherjee\\’s sentiments and said his government would like to\grow and strengthen the bilateral relations.\ He thanked Mukherjee for his visit to New Zealand earlier\this year and said India\\’s economic growth provides many\opportunities.\ \\"There is a strong and growing Indian community in New\Zealand,\\" Key said, adding the high-level contacts between the\two countries provide the foundation stone for a better\understanding of each other\\’s perceptions. PTI NES\DV\