India, New Zealand to sign FTA:John Key

India and New Zealand are likely to conclude a free-trade agreement by March next year. This was disclosed by the visiting New Zealand Prime Minister John Key in New Delhi Monday evening. He told media persons that the two countries will hold four to five rounds of talks to finalize the agreement. He expressed hope that the trade between the two countries will double by 2015. It is at present 1.2 billion New Zealand Dollars. Mr. Key said, agricultural imports from New Zealand may help bringing down food inflation in India. He will hold delegation level talks with his Indian counterpart Dr. Manmohan Singh at Hyderabad house on Tuesday. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vishnu Prakash told reporters that several agreements are expected to be signed after the talks at Hyderabad House and a joint statement is also expected. The two leaders will also discuss regional, multilateral and bilateral issues of mutual interest. Mr. Key will also exchange views with the captains of Industry in New Delhi and Mumbai to strengthen bilateral economic partnership. India and New Zealand are also eager to establish greater cooperation in the areas of Information and Technology, Agriculture, Food Processing and Dairy Farming. Mr. Key is being accompanied by Trade Minister and a high level business delegation. During the visit, Mr Key will call on President Pratibha Devisingh Patil, Vice-President Hamid Ansari and hold talks with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. He will also have meetings with External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj. Earlier, on Monday Mr. Key visited historic Taj Mahal in Agra. He reached the national capital on a five-day visit to India on Sunday.