President Pranab Mukherjee has said India needs to make efforts to improve its presence in the Asia Pacific region to counterbalance the growing influence of China. "You know nothing happens automatically. We shall have to make efforts," he said when asked about Chinese influence in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and New Zealand. The President was talking to reporters on board the special Air India flight while returning after a six day trip to PNG and New Zealand, his first state visit to the two countries. He also said India was ready to work for early conclusion of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with New Zealand.