Korean President’s Visit to India Aims to Strengthen Ties and Cooperation
New Delhi — President Lee Jae Myung has concluded his visit to India, a trip focused on enhancing energy collaboration and initiating Korea’s outreach to the Global South. He is now heading to Vietnam for a four-day state visit.
National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac shared that Lee’s trip marks a significant step in Korea’s Global South diplomacy, especially with India’s growing role among developing nations. Wi emphasized that this visit generated fresh opportunities for partnerships with India, a country with a vast population of 1.4 billion.
During his three-day stay, President Lee fostered a personal connection with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their summit and a state luncheon. Reflecting on their bond, Lee likened his relationship with Modi to that of an old friend meeting a fellow worker, referring to Modi’s past as a tea seller.
Both leaders emphasized the importance of working together across many areas based on shared democratic values. During their talks, Modi quoted the famous Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore, who had foreseen Korea as the “Light of the East.” He remarked that this vision is now coming to fruition.
President Lee pointed out that the presence of Koreans and Korean businesses in India is surprisingly low, given India’s size and economic status. He called for new levels of collaboration in private-sector initiatives, economic ties, and security cooperation.
The discussions also included how Korea and India can work towards global peace and stability, especially in light of current international challenges like the situation in Korea and the Middle East. They talked about becoming major players in energy importation and securing vital raw materials.
Lee also extended an invitation for Modi to visit Korea, which the Indian Prime Minister welcomed positively. The atmosphere at the summit was so warm that it extended well past the scheduled time, with the state dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu running late.
Looking ahead, Lee will meet with Vietnam’s President To Lam in Hanoi on Wednesday, where they aim to sign various agreements. Korea and Vietnam are working towards a bilateral trade target of $150 billion by 2030 and strengthening cooperation in crucial areas like infrastructure and nuclear power.
The Blue House stated that Lee’s Vietnam visit aims to build a trusting relationship with the leadership there and establish a strategic partnership. Vietnam is now Korea’s third-largest trading partner, with last year’s bilateral trade hitting a record $94.6 billion.
As of last year, Korean investments in Vietnam totaled $56.8 billion, with around 10,000 Korean businesses active in the country.
