Kamal Ghorui
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung engaged in high-level talks on Monday at Hyderabad House, focusing on strengthening bilateral ties. The meeting was followed by the exchange of Memorandums of Understanding between the two sides, witnessed by both leaders. External affairs minister S Jaishankar and his South Korean counterpart Cho Hyun also exchanged agreements during the joint press interaction.Highlighting the importance of the visit, Prime Minister Modi said, “This visit of the President of Korea to India is extremely important. Democratic values, market economy, and respect for the rule of law are in the DNA of both our countries. We also have a common outlook in the Indo-Pacific region. Based on all this, our relations have become more dynamic and comprehensive over the last decade, and today, with President Lee’s visit, we are going to transform this trusted partnership into a futuristic partnership. We will realise new opportunities for cooperation in every field, from chips to ships, talent to technology, environment to energy, and together ensure the progress and prosperity of both countries…”South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said, “Today, the PM and I had in-depth discussions on ways to further promote our relations and exchanged views on global and regional affairs.”He further added, “With the world’s largest population and the world’s fourth largest economy, India has emerged as a leader in the global south. Under your ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ vision, India is achieving remarkable development. The Republic of Korea has also evolved as a leader in chip-building, semiconductors and cultural industries.”Alongside official engagements, the two leaders also planted a tree. Earlier in the day, President Lee, accompanied by First Lady Kim Hea-kyung, paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, laying a wreath at the memorial.The South Korean leader had received a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he was received by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi. The reception included children dressed in traditional attire waving the national flags of both countries.President Lee arrived in New Delhi on Sunday for a three-day state visit, accompanied by the First Lady, and was received at the airport by Union Minister of State Harsh Malhotra.Describing the visit as a key development in bilateral ties, the Ministry of External Affairs said it marks an “important milestone” in advancing the India-South Korea Special Strategic Partnership. In a post on X, the ministry stated, “President Lee was received by Shri Harsh Malhotra, MoS, Ministry of Corporate affairs and ministry of road transport and highways. The visit marks an important milestone in advancing the India-South Korea Special Strategic Partnership.“Korean president Lee also highlighted the need to expand collaboration in critical minerals, noting, “By moving beyond the traditional model of importing raw material and combining Korea’s technology with India’s mining and refining industries, we can work together to establish stable critical-mineral supply chains.” He additionally emphasised cooperation in sectors such as artificial intelligence, defence, shipping, and shipbuilding.Ahead of the formal talks, Jaishankar met President Lee, saying that he was “honoured to call on President Lee Jae-myung of the Republic of Korea as he begins his State Visit to India.” The EAM added that he “values his commitment to deepen India-Korea relations across multiple domains,” and expressed confidence that the discussions with PM Modi would “further strengthen our Special Strategic Partnership”.The bilateral agenda covers areas including trade, investment, shipbuilding, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies, as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
