External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed confidence that the ongoing visit of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will significantly strengthen the long-standing strategic partnership between India and South Korea. The South Korean leader arrived in India for a three-day state visit aimed at enhancing cooperation across multiple sectors, including trade, defence, and emerging technologies.
Upon his arrival, President Lee held preliminary discussions with Jaishankar, setting the stage for his key meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to officials, these high-level talks are expected to further deepen the “Special Strategic Partnership” shared by the two nations. Both sides are looking to expand collaboration in critical areas such as shipbuilding, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and advanced technologies that are vital for future economic growth.
President Lee highlighted the importance of stronger ties between India and South Korea in the current global scenario. With ongoing supply chain disruptions and economic uncertainties linked to geopolitical tensions, including conflicts in the Middle East, both countries see each other as reliable partners. Strengthening bilateral cooperation is viewed as essential to ensuring stability and resilience in trade and technology sectors.
The discussions between the two leaders are also expected to cover regional security issues, particularly peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. South Korea’s National Security Adviser has indicated that both nations aim to maintain constructive cooperation in addressing regional challenges and promoting peace.
The visit began with a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where President Lee was received with full state honours. President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi greeted him, with the event featuring a vibrant cultural display by children holding the national flags of both countries. The Ministry of External Affairs described the visit as a significant milestone in advancing bilateral relations.
As part of his itinerary, President Lee, accompanied by First Lady Kim Hea-kyung, paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. The couple laid a wreath at the memorial, symbolising respect and reinforcing the cultural connection between the two nations.
Economic cooperation remains a major focus of the visit. India and South Korea are working to strengthen their economic partnership agreement signed in 2010. Bilateral trade between the two countries has seen substantial growth, rising from around $14 billion at the time of the agreement to nearly $27 billion in the 2024–25 period. Both governments are now exploring ways to further boost trade and investment flows.
Additionally, energy security has become a critical concern for South Korea due to global developments affecting supply routes. This has increased the importance of diversifying partnerships, with India emerging as a key strategic ally in this regard.
President Lee’s visit reflects a shared commitment by both nations to build a stronger, future-oriented partnership. With cooperation spanning economic, technological, and geopolitical domains, the talks between India and South Korea are expected to pave the way for deeper engagement and mutual growth in the years ahead.
