India, New Zealand sign air services agreement to boost connectivity, tourism

India and New Zealand have signed an air services agreement in a bid to boost connectivity, tourism and trade between both countries.

The agreement was signed by India's Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmer's Welfare Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan and Simon Bridges, Minister of Transport and Minister of Energy and Resources of New Zealand in Auckland.

The ceremony took place in Auckland's Langham Hotel.

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee and New Zealand Prime Minister John Key witnessed the exchange of agreement on air services.

The agreement is set to improve better connectivity between the two countries especially for about 23, 000 Indian students studying in New Zealand.

Prime Minister Key earlier in the day called on the visiting President and held bilateral discussions of mutual interest.

The Indian President is on a three-day visit to New Zealand after completing his landmark visit to Papua New Guinea.