New Delhi: New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clarke today (Oct 20, 2004) favoured enhanced exchange with India in the fields of trade and tourism and supported a "greater role" for New Delhi in the reform of the UN Security Council.

Clarke, the first New Zealand Prime Minister to visit India in 19 years, said her country was putting in "new energy" in its relations with India.

New Zealand recognises "the great changes going on in this country, (particularly) its economy and the role India is playing in other parts of the world, including East Asia and Pacific regions," she told reporters after receiving a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

Asked about her country's difference of opinion with India on the nuclear issue, she said her visit will focus on positive aspects like furthering trade, tourism and flow of students between the two countries.

"We would like to see more" happening in these areas, said Clarke who will hold talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh besides meeting President A P J Abdul Kalam, External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh and Leader of Opposition L K Advani.

"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 great nation of India," she said.

Manmohan Singh noted India and New Zealand shared a "cordial relation" but said there was a "great scope for giving it a more solid shape" which is expected during Clarke's visit.

On diverse opinions between the two countries on some issues, Singh said "among friends there can be differences but these do not stop (them) from exploring avenues of cooperation."

Emphasising that there were "many" avenues of cooperation between the two countries, he said the two countries can work together to realise them.

Asked whether New Zealand supported India's claim for permanent membership in expanded UN Security Council, Clarke said the Security Council "must change as it reflects the world order of 1945 and not 2004."

"It is hard to believe that India will not be playing a greater role in the reforms of the Security Council," she said.

A business delegation, representatives of Indian Diaspora and senior officials are accompanying Clarke, the first Prime Minister to visit India after David Lange who travelled here in 1985.

Besides discussing bilateral and international issues with Manmohan Singh, Clarke will address a combined gathering of the CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) and FICCI (Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry).

The External Affairs Ministry in New Delhi said the visit would be a timely opportunity for leaders of the two countries to exchange views and perspectives on regional as well as bilateral issues and discuss ways to take forward the relationship into a 21st century partnership.