India has conveyed to New Zealand its willingness to work towards an early conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), keeping in mind the need to find a satisfactory resolution of mutual concerns. President Pranab Mukherjee said India and New Zealand have covered much ground in their negotiations for inking the FTA which began in 2010. He was speaking to reporters on-board the aircraft during his return from Auckland, New Zealand at the end of his two-nation tour last night. <br/><br/>Mr. Mukherjee said the government is carefully examining various dimensions of it. He said the concerns which India had in the 60s, 70s and even in 80s are no more relevant today as progress has been made by the country in various fields. He said, the country has also come a long way in agriculture.<br/><br/>Mr. Mukherjee said the Indian Middle Class numbering nearly 300 million has developed an appetite for various goods. Outlining the outcome of his visit to Papua New Guinea and New Zealand, he said, it has provided a new momentum to the foreign policy towards the Asia-Pacific region.<br/><br/>He said the visit has been able to take forward the government's Act East policy. Just before the departure of Mr. Mukherjee from Auckland, an MoU on an Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Chair of Indian Studies in the University of Victoria was signed.<br/><br/>The New Zealand Government also announced a new scholarship scheme for Indian students, who constitute the fastest growing group of international students in the country. The President has since returned home.