New Delhi [India], April 19 (ANI): The Ministry of External Affairs on Sunday shared glimpses of the “multifaceted and special strategic” partnership between India and South Korea ahead of the state visit of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.
In a post on X, the MEA outlined key milestones and areas of cooperation, noting the president’s visit to India from April 19 to 21. It also highlighted previous interactions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the South Korean leader, including meetings on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, in June 2025, and the G20 Summit in Johannesburg in November 2025.
Highlighting the evolution of ties, the MEA noted that bilateral relations were elevated to a Special Strategic Partnership in 2015, alongside sustained diplomatic engagement through mechanisms such as the sixth India-ROK Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue in February 2026 and the 12th India-ROK Consultations in March 2026.
The ministry also noted that a delegation of special envoys from the Republic of Korea visited India in July 2025, and that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo in March 2026.
On economic ties, the ministry said trade and economic cooperation remain a key pillar of the bilateral relationship, adding that trade exceeded USD 26 billion in 2024–25, with a target of reaching USD 50 billion by 2030. It also noted that South Korea is India’s 13th-largest FDI investor, with cumulative investments of USD 6.91 billion since 2000, and that more than 650 Korean firms operate in India, including six major Korean banks with a total of 20 branches.
The MEA highlighted major business engagements, stating that Reliance Industries Limited signed a landmark USD 3 billion, 15-year binding agreement with South Korea’s Samsung C&T in March 2026. It also noted that Cochin Shipyard Limited signed an MoU with HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering in September 2025, adding that shipbuilding is an important area of cooperation.
In defense, the ministry pointed to growing naval cooperation, including participation by the ROK Navy’s Gang Gam-chan in the International Fleet Review 2026 and Exercise MILAN 2026 in Visakhapatnam, as well as the first-ever India-ROK Navy bilateral exercise held at Busan Naval Base in October 2025.
Cultural and people-to-people ties were also underscored. The MEA said around 18,000 Indians live in the Republic of Korea and highlighted historical links, noting that Princess Suriratna from Ayodhya traveled to Korea in 48 AD and became queen.
It added that yoga is highly popular in South Korea, with initiatives such as the Embassy of India organizing Seoul Yoga Connect at Namsan-gol Hanok Village in April 2026.
The ministry also pointed to cultural exchanges, including the 11th edition of Sarang held in Seoul in October 2025 and the 13th Indian Film Festival held in various cities in South Korea in November 2025. It further noted that Rabindranath Tagore composed the poem “Lamp of the East,” reflecting Korea’s cultural legacy and its bright future.
According to the MEA, tourism flows have increased, with more than 187,000 Indian tourists visiting South Korea in 2025, while nearly 112,000 South Korean tourists visited India in 2024.
The three-day visit of the South Korean president aims to deepen the Special Strategic Partnership between India and South Korea, with a focus on defense, high-tech manufacturing, and regional security.
The president’s itinerary includes a series of high-level engagements designed to strengthen ties between Seoul and New Delhi. Upon arrival at Air Force Station Palam, the South Korean leader will receive a ceremonial welcome befitting a close strategic ally, according to the MEA.
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. (ANI)
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