Mr Lange set for New Delhi talks

Press, 4 October 1984, Page 8

Mr Lange set for New Delhi talks

NZPA-Reuter New Delhi The Prime Minister, Mr Lange, will arrive in New Delhi today for a three-day official visit to India where he will revive close ties between the two countries. The symbol of a new warmth in relations since the Labour Party came to power in July is his decision to reopen the New Zealand High Commission. Mr Lange has said the High Commission, closed by Sir Robert ' Muldoon two years ago to cut costs, should be reopened in December. The closing irritated the Indian Government and brought a slight chill to relations, Western diplomats said.

During talks with the Indian Prime Minister, Mrs Gandhi, details of the reopening of the High Commission are likely to be finalised. “The two leaders will probably concentrate on the opening of the High Commission,” an Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesman told Reuters. "Naturally we are delighted. India and New Zealand have traditionally close ties through the Commonwealth.” New Zealand has backed calls by India and other developing countries for more bargaining power in the world economy. At a Commonwealth summit meeting in November it

supported demands for a new world monetary system. Western diplomats said there was also likely to be a warm welcome for Mr Lange in India because of his decision to ban ships carrying nuclear weapons from calling at New Zealand ports. Trade between the two countries dropped slightly after the closing of the High Commission but had picked up in the last four months, the spokesman said. India’s main exports to New Zealand are textiles and engineering goods, while it imports wool and animal oils and fats.