New Delhi [India], April 19 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday called on South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, who is on a state visit to India, and said that his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi will further strengthen the Special Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
In a post on X, Jaishankar praised President Lee’s commitment to deepening ties, stating, “Honored to call on President @Jaemyung_Lee of the Republic of Korea as he begins his state visit to India. Value his commitment to deepen India-Korea relations across multiple domains. Confident that his talks tomorrow with PM @narendramodi will further strengthen our Special Strategic Partnership.”
President Lee Jae-myung, accompanied by First Lady Kim Hea-kyung, arrived in India on Sunday, marking the first state visit by a South Korean leader in over eight years.
The visit is being framed as a crucial step for South Korea’s Global South diplomacy and a “reboot” of the Special Strategic Partnership.
India and South Korea elevated their ties to a Special Strategic Partnership in 2015, and since then, cooperation between the two countries has expanded significantly. Both sides have focused on enhancing collaboration in areas such as advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, defense production, green energy, infrastructure development, and digital innovation.
South Korean companies have played an increasing role in India’s industrial and consumer sectors, while Indian firms have expanded their presence in the Korean market.
The visit is expected to provide fresh momentum to ongoing bilateral initiatives and open discussions on expanding trade and investment opportunities. India has been actively working to strengthen its engagement with Indo-Pacific partners, with South Korea remaining a key pillar in this broader regional vision.
The president’s itinerary includes a series of high-level engagements designed to strengthen ties between Seoul and New Delhi. His first major engagement will be a meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to set the stage for executive talks.
On Monday, the president will receive a formal ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan before paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.
The centerpiece of the visit will be a bilateral summit at Hyderabad House, where President Lee will hold extensive talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The discussions are expected to culminate in the exchange of several Memorandums of Understanding, likely focusing on critical technologies, including cooperation in semiconductors and green energy, defense production through the “Make in India” initiative, and expanded economic engagement under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
Following the summit, the leaders are expected to issue joint press statements outlining their shared vision for a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
Recognizing the vital role of the private sector, President Lee will also participate in a business forum at Bharat Mandapam, bringing together industry leaders from both countries to explore investment opportunities and supply chain resilience.
The state visit will conclude with a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, reflecting the strong cultural and political ties between the two nations, according to the MEA.
Beyond economic and strategic cooperation, India and South Korea share strong cultural linkages, with growing interest in Korean culture in India and increasing visibility of Indian heritage in South Korea. These people-to-people exchanges have added depth to the bilateral relationship.
The visit comes at a time when both countries are navigating a rapidly evolving global geopolitical environment, making strategic partnerships increasingly significant. (ANI)
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