Not just cricket on the agenda: Modi meets New Zealand PM John Key, discusses trade and tourism

Washington: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met his New Zealand counterpart John Key in Washington during which they discussed bilateral co-operation in trade, technology and tourism.

“Discussing stronger India-New Zealand ties with @johnkeypm,” tweeted the Prime Minister’s Office.

Modi, who arrived in the wee hours of Thursday to attend the two-day Nuclear Security Summit which is being hosted by US President Barack Obama, started his diplomatic engagement with the meeting with Prime Minister Key.

The ongoing T-20 World Cup Cricket tournament did figure in the talks of the leaders of the two cricket-crazy nation.

The Indian team was batting in Mumbai against West Indies on the T20 World Cup Semi-finals when Key met Modi at his hotel on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit.

Incidentally New Zealand handed India a shock defeat at the start of the T-20 tournament.

“Not just cricket on the agenda” as prime ministers Modi and Key had their first meeting, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.

“Lots on the agenda,” he said in another tweet. The two leaders discussed co-operation in trade, technology, tourism and education.

Discussing stronger India-New Zealand ties with @johnkeypm. pic.twitter.com/ZpDLFUjYd5

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 31, 2016