Korean President Lee Jae-myung to 'shortly' arrive in New Delhi for State visit: MEA
New Delhi, April 19
President Lee Jae-myung of the Republic of Korea is set to arrive in New Delhi on Sunday for a State Visit, the Ministry of External Affairs said.
In a post on X, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "President Lee Jae Myung of the Republic of Korea will be shortly arriving in New Delhi for a State Visit to India."
The three-day visit from April 19 to 21 aims to deepen the "Special Strategic Partnership" between India and South Korea, with a focus on defence, high-tech manufacturing and regional security.
The President's itinerary is packed with high-level engagements designed to solidify ties between Seoul and New Delhi. Upon his arrival at the Airforce Station (AFS) Palam, the South Korean leader will be greeted with the protocol befitting a close strategic ally, as per the statement from MEA.
His first major engagement will be a meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to set the stage for the executive talks to follow. On Monday, the President will receive a formal Ceremonial Reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan before paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.
The centrepiece of the visit will be a bilateral summit at Hyderabad House, where President Lee will hold extensive talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The discussions are expected to culminate in the exchange of several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), likely focusing on critical technologies: cooperation in semiconductors and green energy; defence production by strengthening the "Make in India" initiative through Korean engineering; and economic trade by expanding the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
Following the summit, the leaders will issue joint press statements to outline their shared vision for a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
Recognising the vital role of the private sector, President Lee will participate in a Business Forum at the iconic Bharat Mandapam. This forum will bring together industry titans from both nations to explore investment opportunities and supply chain resilience.
The state visit will conclude with a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, signifying the deep cultural and political respect between the two nations, the MEA statement added.
President Lee and the First Lady are scheduled to depart from New Delhi on Tuesday afternoon, leaving behind a roadmap for an intensified partnership in the years to come.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Glad to see the visit includes paying respects at Rajghat. It shows cultural sensitivity and respect for our values. The focus on green energy cooperation is also timely and crucial for our sustainable development goals.
Defence production partnership is the key takeaway for me. If Korean companies like Hyundai Rotem can set up manufacturing here, it will be a huge boost for our defence indigenisation and create thousands of jobs. Fingers crossed!
While the high-level talks are important, I hope the Business Forum at Bharat Mandapam delivers real outcomes for MSMEs too. Often these big forums only benefit the large corporates. Our small industries need technology transfer and partnerships as well.
Strong ties with South Korea are essential for a stable Indo-Pacific. Both democracies face similar challenges in the region. This partnership is not just economic, it's strategic. Good move by MEA and PMO.
I appreciate the detailed itinerary shared by the MEA. It shows planning and seriousness. Hope the expanded CEPA helps reduce the trade deficit we have with Korea. We import so many electronics and cars, we need more balanced trade.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.