India & South Korea Review Strategic Partnership, Agree To Deepen Cooperation In Trade, Defence, Cutting-Edge Technologies

On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol reviewed the progress in the bilateral strategic partnership’s development and decided to further cooperation in areas like trade and investment, defence, semiconductors, and cutting-edge technologies.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “Delighted to have met Yoon Suk Yeo. We talked about ways to enhance cooperation in futuristic sectors like IT, innovation, technology, semiconductors and more. Boosting commercial linkages and defence ties also featured prominently in the discussions”, through his official Twitter handle.

In response to PM Modi tweet, South Korean President, Yoon Suk Yeol tweeted, “Great pleasure to have a meeting with @narendramodi for the first time. Had warm and productive discussions with 🇮🇳 PM. Hope to deepen 🇰🇷🇮🇳 partnership based on shared values and deep-rooted cultural affinity on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties!” through his official Twitter handle.

On the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) advanced economies in Hiroshima, the two leaders held fruitful bilateral talks. They also talked about India’s G20 presidency as well as South Korea’s Indo-Pacific strategy.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, “They reviewed the progress of India and the Republic of Korea Special Strategic Partnership and discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade & investment, high technology, IT hardware manufacturing, defence, semiconductors, and culture”.

“The presidents underlined that both nations are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year, and decided to further enhance their cooperation”, the statement added.

MEA India tweeted, “Advancing 🇮🇳–🇰🇷 Special Strategic Partnership. PM @narendramodi met @President_KR Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea. Leaders reaffirmed commitment to further strengthen bilateral ties as 🇮🇳-🇰🇷 celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations this year”, through its official Twitter handle.

President Yoon Suk Yeol praised Prime Minister Modi’s G-20 leadership and expressed his support. Prime Minister looked forward to President Yoon’s visit to India in September for the G20 Leaders’ Summit.

India currently holds the presidency of the G20 grouping.

Prime Minister Modi welcomed the Republic of Korea’s Indo-Pacific strategy and the significance it places on India.

In December 2022, South Korea released its first comprehensive regional plan, the Indo-Pacific Strategy.

In the face of China’s increasing military maneuvering in the resource-rich region, the United States, India, and other world powers have been discussing the importance of ensuring a free, open, and vibrant Indo-Pacific.

Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam all claim areas of the disputed South China Sea. In the South China Sea, Beijing has constructed artificial islands and military installations. In the East China Sea, China also has territorial conflicts with Japan.

The PMO tweeted, “PM @narendramodi had a productive meeting with @President_KR Yoon Suk Yeol. India and the Republic of Korea share a warm friendship and deep-rooted cultural linkages. Today’s talks focused on ways to further cement this friendship in key developmental sectors”, through its official Twitter handle.

 

In a statement, South Korea’s presidential spokesperson Lee Do-Woon said, “The president said South Korea and India should jointly respond to regional and global issues in solidarity as countries that share democratic values”.

Mr. Yoon thanked Modi for his participation in March Summit for Democracy, which was co-hosted by South Korea and the United States.

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