Arrangement Between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of New Zealand for Cooperation in the Area of Information Technology
[ Last Updated 16 February 2006 ]
The Government of the Republic of India and The Government of New Zealand (together referred to as signatories),
CONSIDERING
the positive developments in the relationship between India and New Zealand, enhanced by recent high level visits, which confirm mutual interest in the promotion of stronger ties in information technology (IT) and services;
CONSIDERING
that both countries, being participants in providing technology and services in the IT sector, intend to build their cooperation in the IT sector;
RECOGNISING
the potential for extensive trade between the two countries in the IT sector and the need to tap the capabilities and opportunities in the sector,
RECOGNISING
further the need to promote links in the IT sector between the two countries with a view to leverage capabilities and opportunities on both sides;
HAVING
a mutual interest in the growth of investment, joint ventures, joint initiatives, technology development and markets in the IT sector; and
INTENDING
to promote the development of relations between businesses, research bodies, educational institutions, central and local government agencies, and other organisations concerned with progress in the area of IT.
HAVE REACHED
the following arrangement:
Article 1
Objectives
The objectives of this Arrangement are to establish cooperation between India and New Zealand in the area of IT.
Article 2
Areas of Common Interest
Without wishing to limit the issues, the signatories have identified the following as areas of common interest for potential cooperation:
- General policy and regulatory approaches;
- Software and multi-media content development;
- Advanced communications technologies;
- Internet applications;
- E-commerce consumer protection policies;
- Cross-border issues such as cyber-crime, intellectual property rights, privacy and the security of applications of e-commerce and information industries.
Cooperation in the above areas will be promoted through the development of relations between businesses, research bodies, educational institutions, central and local government agencies and other organisations concerned with progress in the information industries.
Article 3
Forms of Cooperation
Cooperative activities carried out under this Arrangement will be subject to the availability of funds and resources of the signatories. Such activities will also be subject to the observance of both countries’ applicable laws and regulations. Cooperation between the signatories will be promoted where appropriate through:- exchange of information on legal, regulatory and policy approaches and industry development issues;
- exchange of information on areas such as public key infrastructure, intellectual property rights and digital signatures;
- promoting understanding of regulatory approaches, e.g. codes of practice, Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms;
- facilitating trade in information industry, goods and services, including standards and conformance issues and the removal of trade barriers;
- encouraging trade and business networks and partnerships between New Zealand and Indian information industry companies, both within the respective countries and in third countries;
- sharing of research methodologies and outcomes;
- exploring the scope for the development of joint programmes designed to facilitate investment, joint ventures and other business activities in IT, telecommunications, e-commerce, education and other knowledge-based industries;
- encouraging the development of direct and self-sustaining working relationships between the information industries of each country through their respective industry associations; and
- participation in bilateral, regional, and international dialogue and cooperation in the area of IT.
Article 4
Costs
Each of the signatories and their country’s respective agencies and organisations will bear its own costs incurred in the course of carrying out cooperative activities under this Arrangement.
Article 5
Responsible Authorities
The Responsible Authorities for the purposes of this Arrangement will be, on behalf of the Republic of India, the Ministry of Information Technology and, on behalf of New Zealand, the Ministry of Economic Development.
Article 6
Designated Representatives and Convenors
Each signatory will designate a representative to be responsible for promoting cooperation in accordance with the objectives of this Arrangement. In addition, each signatory will appoint a convenor to represent private sector interests in their respective country.
Article 7
Confidentiality of Information
Neither signatory will disclose or distribute any confidential information that is supplied to the other signatory in the course of conducting cooperative activities under this Arrangement except where prior authorisation to do so has been granted by the signatory providing the information.
Article 8
Commencement and Duration
This Arrangement will come into effect on the date of its signature, and will remain effective for a period of five years from that date. Prior to this five-year period lapsing, the signatories may mutually decide to extend this Arrangement by exchange of letters.
Article 9
Amendment
This Arrangement may be amended as may be required from time to time as mutually decided by the signatories in writing.
Article 10
Suspension and Termination
Either of the signatories may suspend this Arrangement. Any such suspension, and the date of its effect, will be notified to the other signatory by letter. This Arrangement may be terminated by either signatory giving the other signatory a written notification no less than 90 days in advance of the intended date of termination.
Article 11
Consultations
Either signatory may request consultations on the provisions of this Arrangement, including over any differences that may arise in their interpretation. The other signatory will respond to this request within 60 days.
Signed in two copies, at New Delhi on 7th December, 2001, in two originals each in the Hindi and English languages, both texts being equally valid. In case of any divergence in interpretation, the text in English will prevail.
| For the Government of the Republic of India | For the Government of New Zealand |
|---|
Pramod Mahajan, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and Parliamentary Affairs. | Paul Swain, Minister for Information Technology Communications and Commerce. |
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