NEW DELHI: Indicating its support ahead of the NSG Vienna meet in November, New Zealand on Wednesday announced that it is constructively engaged with India on the issue of Delhi's membership in the exclusive nuclear club and would work with other NSG members on the case.The issue of India's proposed NSG membership figured prominently in discussions between Narendra Modi and visiting Kiwi PM John Key . The two sides also decided to expand intelligence sharing mechanism as well as deradicalisation initiatives including cyber domain besides ramping up defence cooperation for stability in the Asia-Pacific region."We are encouraged by the discussions on the NSG issue. New Zealand showed understanding of India's clean energy needs and the importance of predictability in global rules on nuclear commerce in enabling the expansion of nuclear energy in India," an official source said following the talks."There is a process underway within the NSG on the membership issue. New Zealand conveyed that it would be constructively engaged on India's membership of the NSG and would work with the others in the NSG," the official pointed out. This was reflected in PM's remarks to the press where he stated, "I am also thankful to Prime Minister Key for New Zealand's constructive approach to the consideration of India's membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group ."Later the Indo-Kiwi joint statement noted, "New Zealand acknowledged the importance to India of it joining the NSG…Prime Minister Key stated that New Zealand would continue to contribute constructively to the process currently underway in the NSG to consider India’s membership.”But it is understood that the Kiwi PM emphasised on India's adherence to the non-proliferation regime amid its push for NSG membership. "India acknowledged the importance to New Zealand of a strong non-proliferation and disarmament regime. It reiterated its commitment to the total elimination of all weapons of mass destruction including in particular nuclear weapons. Pending the global elimination of nuclear weapons, India will uphold global non-proliferation and work with partners such as New Zealand to advance nuclear disarmament."In the June NSG meet in Seoul New Zealand -- a NSG member -- had raised questions on India's entry into the exclusive club based on its principled stand on India's non-NPT status.While China had taken a hostile position and was vocal blocking India's entry into NSG at the Seoul plenary meeting in June, New Zealand raised questions on India's bid citing non-proliferation concerns. Though it did not side with China, Wellington expressed concerns over whether this may adversely effect the non-proliferation regime.After the Seoul NSG plenary New Zealand High Commissioner to India Grahame Morton had said that his country only wanted a criterion to be fixed for the entry of non-NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty) states into the 48-nation NSG. Morton had said the NSG’s doors for India were not closed and constructive discussion would lead to a solution. "It is a process and talks will continue," he said.It may be recalled that New Zealand was one of those last few NSG members to agree to a clean waiver to India in 2008. People familiar with New Zealand’s stand on nuclear non-proliferation issues pointed out that Kiwi stand dates back to US nuclear tests in the Pacific. New Zealand is a member of a group of NPT parties called the New Agenda Coalition (NAC), which focuses on identifying and advocating practical steps on nuclear disarmament. The other members are Brazil, Egypt, Ireland, Mexico and South Africa.The two sides explored prospects for information sharing in support of our mutual interests in maritime security and also undertake defence education exchanges, by placing Indian and New Zealand defence personnel on each other’s defence courses and staff colleges; and they also encourage naval ship visits to each other’s ports, with the next visit of an Indian vessel to coincide with the Royal New Zealand Navy’s 75th anniversary commemorations in November 2016.