the two leaders discussed global security challenges and regional contexts to achieve stability and prosperity for all. Both the Prime Ministers condemned terrorism in all its forms and agreed to work together to expedite comprehensive economic partnership and strengthen people-to-people contact. Prime Minister Key announced that fellowship in the name of Sir Edmund Hillary will be given to a prominent Indian business person. The two leaders announced a new education cooperation initiative. This will focus on areas such as academic and student exchanges, joint research activities and industry collaborations.
Welcoming the signing of a pact in the area of science and technology, they said it will provide a framework for future scientific exchanges and research collaboration. The two leaders also acknowledged the cooperation in the aviation sector and agreed to strengthen defence cooperation. The New Zealand Prime Minister announced that his country will appoint a Defence Advisor to India to better facilitate defence exchanges.
Welcoming the increase in trade and investment flows, the two Prime Ministers noted that there is a significant potential to expand trade. They reiterated their commitment to early conclusion of free-trade agreement saying that negotiations are going on well.
The two leaders acknowledged the role of bilateral trade and sharing of expertise between them and said it would play an important role in ensuring food security for future. In his opening remarks, the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that the economic partnership between the two countries is poised to achieve greater heights.
Earlier, two pacts were signed after the talks – one in the area of audio-visual co-production and another in Cooperation between the two governments on Science and Innovation.