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21 October 2004
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Thursday
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06 Ramazan 1425
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NZ leader's visit to Indian plant sparks row
NEW DELHI, Oct 20: New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark held talks with Indian leaders in New Delhi on Wednesday amid controversy in her home country over a visit to a Mumbai factory which allegedly produces components for nuclear weapons.
Helen Clark was given a ceremonial welcome before beginning talks with leaders including Foreign Minister Natwar Singh and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
She told reporters she wants more exchanges in trade and tourism and supports a greater role for India in the reform of the UN Security Council.
Ms Clark said her country was putting "new energy" into the relationship.
Asked about differences of opinion between staunchly anti-nuclear New Zealand and nuclear-armed India, she said her visit would focus on furthering trade, tourism and the flow of students between the two countries.
"Of course, with every country, there will sometimes be issues on which we do not see eye to eye. But we are going to focus on positives between New Zealand and the great nation of India," she said.
Singh said India and New Zealand shared a "cordial relation" but there was great scope for giving it a more solid shape.
"Among friends there can be differences but these do not stop (them) from exploring avenues of cooperation," he added.
New Zealand media claimed Ms Clark had on Tuesday visited a factory in Bombay which makes nuclear weapons. The premier had visited Larsen and Toubro to support two New Zealand firms trying to clinch deals with the conglomerate.
The New Zealand Herald said journalists were told by Larsen and Toubro public relations staff that the firm, which specialises in engineering and construction, also made nuclear weapons.
It said the company was reportedly contracted to work on parts of a nuclear submarine and a test launcher for a nuclear-tipped cruise missile.
Larsen and Toubro managers denied the firm made nuclear weapons.
The prime minister told national radio in her home country that she had discussed earthquake engineering and food processing in New Zealand with Larsen and Toubro directors.
She said it was impossible for officials to stop visiting all companies connected to defence.
Ahead of her visit, Helen Clark was quoted by an Indian newspaper as saying she would urge India to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. She denied making the remarks. -AFP
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