PM to 'encourage' India on nuclear disarmament

New Zealand and India have agreed to strengthen the defence links between the two countries, but Prime Minister John Key said it would not stop New Zealand making "encouraging noises" about India and nuclear disarmament.

It is an odd pairing - India is a nuclear military power which has not signed up for disarmament treaties while New Zealand's focus is largely on peacekeeping and has a strong nuclear-free policy.

Mr Key said the respective positions of the two countries on nuclear disarmament were well known.

"It's a historical issue for India. We will always engage in dialogue with them and make encouraging noises in that respect."

New Zealand will also appoint a defence adviser to focus on further developing the links. The two navies already exercise together fairly regularly.

Mr Key would also not rule out contributing a New Zealand frigate to anti-piracy efforts after agreeing to co-operate with India more on the issue.

Mr Key and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh agreed during their bilateral talks in New Delhi to extend co-operation on the security of shipping lanes.

Dr Singh said afterwards that New Zealand also had a stake in ensuring the safety of sea lanes and combating piracy.

New Zealand has previously refused to send its frigates.

Asked if it was more likely New Zealand would now do so, Mr Key said it was "always possible" but it was more likely co-operation would involve information sharing.

"But it's a growing issue that is of concern to everyone. If the waterways of the world aren't safe, that leads to a lot of different issues.

"We have a lot of goods we want to send round the world by ship. So it is a place we can be more vigilant and work together."

Mr Key said the two countries already worked together - but stopped short of saying there was an alliance between the two.

"I don't think we want a formal alliance but we work with a lot of different partners round the world and India is a good friend to New Zealand. I can't see any reason why we can't share more information with them when it makes sense."

The moves follow a visit by former defence chief Sir Jerry Mateparae to India in 2009 to look at ways to strengthen the links.

New Zealand has pledged its support for India in its push to reform the United Nations Security Council, including adding India to the list of permanent members.

COMPARE, CONTRAST

New Zealand
* Non-nuclear stance at heart of foreign policy.
* Signatory to Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
* Involved in UN peacekeeping operations.
* Special forces fighting in Afghanistan.

India
* Became a nuclear-armed nation in 1974.
* Has not ratified the NNPT.
* In regular armed dispute with neighbour Pakistan over Kashmir.
* Huge investment in armed forces, including nuclear submarines.