New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with South Korean president Lee Jae Myung at the Hyderbad House in New Delhi on Monday.
Earlier in the day, Lee, accompanied by his wife Kim Hea-kyung paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. The president was also accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan forecourt, marking a significant start to the second day of his high-profile state visit to India.
Lee was received by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi, with the reception featuring a vibrant display of welcome by children dressed in traditional attire, waving the national flags of both India and South Korea.
Lee arrived in New Delhi on Sunday and was received at the airport by Union Minister of State for Corporate Affairs Harsh Malhotra, as reported by ANI.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) observed that it represents an “important milestone” in advancing the “Special Strategic Partnership” between the two countries. “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,” it posted on X.
In a written interview with The Times of India, the South Korean president noted that the effective closure of the critical shipping route due to the prolonged conflict between the United States and Iran has been driving up global oil prices while also disrupting supply chains for key industrial materials.
“Both the Republic of Korea and India depend on the Middle East for a significant share of their energy supplies, including crude oil and natural gas. Accordingly, ensuring the security of critical maritime routes is essential to the safety of our peoples and the very survival of our nations,” Lee said in the interview.
Lee said South Korea will collaborate with India on multilateral efforts to ensure safe passage through the strategic route and diversify energy supply chains to address uncertainties in the global economy.
“Korea will maintain close communication with India to ensure that all vessels can navigate the Strait of Hormuz safely and freely. We will also continue to work together in relevant international forums to uphold this shared commitment,” he said.
He expressed hope to expand cooperation in critical mineral supply chains, as part of efforts to reduce heavy dependence on imported energy and raw materials.
“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,” Lee said in the interview.
He also stressed the need to step up collaboration in strategic sectors, such as artificial intelligence, defence, and the shipping and shipbuilding industries, to deepen economic ties and create synergy between India and South Korea.
Emphasising the shared foundations of the relationship, the MEA said, “India and the ROK share a multifaceted partnership rooted in ancient civilisational ties and shared values of democracy and the rule of law.”
“The visit of President Lee underscores the shared aspiration of both countries to further strengthen the existing areas of cooperation while expanding collaboration in new and emerging areas of mutual interest,” it added.
