India, NZ have shared stakes in Asia-Pacific region: Pranab Mukherjee

Auckland: India sees huge potential in expanding ties with New Zealand, President Pranab Mukherjee said on Monday as he underlined that the two nations have "shared stakes" in a peaceful Asia-Pacific region and can successfully work as partners in promoting security and stability there.

Mukherjee, while delivering a speech at a University here, said it was time for both the nations to enhance their ties, as India presents a "picture of optimism and economic success."

"Ours is the fastest growing major economy in the world with an estimated growth rate of 7.6 per cent in the year 2015-16. The World Bank estimates that this will accelerate to 7.8 per cent and 7.9 per cent in the next two years. There are great prospects for New Zealand's participation in our growth," he said.

"The flagship programmes like 'Skill India', 'Make In India' and 'Digital India' are but a few of the many sectors where India has liberalised the regulations to encourage investment inflows and where India welcomes the foreign participation," Mukherjee said while addressing students and faculty at the Auckland College of Technology here.

Mukherjee stressed India and New Zealand have "shared stakes" in a peaceful, cooperative and prosperous Asia-Pacific region.

"We believe that this is a region of huge opportunity where we can successfully work as partners in promoting security, stability and prosperity. India values her cooperation with New Zealand at the United Nations and other multilateral fora," he said.

"We have a shared interest in keeping maritime lanes open in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean Region and convergence of foreign policy positions on various regional and global issues," the President said.

Mukherjee also expressed appreciation for New Zealand's support for India's permanent membership in an expanded United Nations Security Council.

"At the present time, seven decades after the United Nations was created, we are both agreed on the urgent need for reform of its organs to make them relevant and effective in the significantly altered world of the 21st century," the President said.

He said the powerful endorsement that New Zealand received in its election to the United Nations Security Council is testimony to the respect that it commands in the international arena.

"You are a strong voice on behalf of the Pacific Island countries, and you are playing an influential role in shaping the global dialogue on key global challenges," Mukherjee said.

"India sees enormous potential in the expansion of our bilateral partnership. At a time when New Zealand, too, has decided that it must invest more time and energy into strengthening its ties with Asia, this is an opportune moment to intensify our engagement in all fields," he said.

The President said New Zealand has unique strength and capabilities in the field of agriculture, including in post harvest technologies and supply chain management, and also in the area of disaster management from which India can benefit by way of collaboration.

He praised the country for having earned the distinction of being amongst the top ranking nations in "ease of doing business" and as a "corruption free country".

"You have a stable and internationally competitive economy that was ranked 16th in the 2015-16 World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness index. Your growth rate has been amongst the most impressive amongst the OECD economies," he said.

Mukherjee said he was happy to be at the educational institution as he himself had been a teacher but he had to bury that streak of his life five decades back, because of his political career.

"I like to talk to the students, young and bright minds, who ask questions. I may not be a good teacher and rather a nagging teacher but I like to interact with these brilliant minds," he said.

The President said he was happy to note that Indian students constitute the second largest number of foreign students in New Zealand.

"Their (Indian students) strong presence underlines the value that is placed by them on receiving an education in New Zealand. I am confident that Indian students will, on their part, contribute to New Zealand's future global partnerships," he said.

Mukherjee said India and New Zealand share bonds in many ways.

"Our nations may be separated by oceans and continents but we are connected by many shared values including our commitment to democracy, the preservation of our open and pluralistic societies and the values of liberty, dignity and rights of every individual," he said.

The President also invited academicians from the universities in New Zealand to participate in the next Festival of Innovation, which will be held in March, 2017, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

Mukherjee said ties between the two countries are also strong because of Bollwood movies.

"Our people to people contacts have been strengthened by the enormous influence of Indian movies. As Bollywood movies and regional cinema show to our audiences the breathtaking beauty of New Zealand's landscapes, Indians are thrilled and enthused to travel here with their families and friends.

"I am happy to see that connectivity, which used to be an area of concern, has been addressed by the signing of the bilateral Air Services Agreement between India and New Zealand during my visit. I invite you all to visit India and discover it in all its fascinating aspects," he said.

Welcoming the President, New Zealand Education Minister Steven Joyce said India is the largest supplier of skilled migrants to his country.

He said India is also the source of second largest batch of students coming to New Zealand and they choose the country as their destination because of world class education system in a clean environment.