New Delhi: New Zealand today (Oct 20, 2004) asked India and other countries to become parties to the nuclear non-proliferation (NPT) and comprehensive test ban treaties (CTBT) as it voiced support for its "greater role" in UN reforms including the Security Council.

Visiting New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clarke, who held wide-ranging discussions with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other leaders, said while the two countries saw eye to eye on most issues, there were inevitably some points of difference.

"We have always urged nations to become parties to the NPT and CTBT," she said.

She also called for changes in India's economic policies to reduce the high levels of protectionism and facilitate greater market access.

Observing that India and New Zealand shared a cordial relations, Singh stressed that there was great scope for giving it a more solid shape.

Asked about differences between the two countries on some issues, he said "Among friends there can be differences but these do not stop them from exploring avenues of cooperation."

During her day's hectic schedule, Clarke called on President A P J Abdul Kalam and also had meetings with External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh, Leader of Opposition L K Advani besides having an interactive session with CII (Confederation of Indian Industries) and FICCI (Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry) of New Delhi.

Clarke, the first New Zealand Prime Minister to visit India in 19 years, favoured enhanced bilateral cooperation in the fields of trade and tourism.