South Korean President Lee Jae-myung was accorded a formal ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday, marking a significant moment in Indo-Korean diplomacy. President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the South Korean leader and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung as they commenced the official leg of their three-day state visit to the capital. Following the reception, President Lee proceeded to Rajghat to pay his respects at the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, continuing a tradition of diplomatic homage.
Having arrived in New Delhi on Sunday, President Lee’s visit ends an eight-year hiatus since a South Korean head of state last travelled to India. During a meeting with the local Korean community shortly after his arrival, the President expressed high hopes for the trip, suggesting that the upcoming summit with Prime Minister Modi could serve as a vital turning point, propelling bilateral relations to an entirely new level. He noted that India’s global standing has shifted dramatically, evolving from a mere consumer market into a central pillar of international production and supply chains.
The visit, which comes less than a year after Lee assumed office in June 2025, began with a briefing from External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. However, the true weight of the trip lies in the high-level talks scheduled at Hyderabad House. These discussions are expected to delve into the "Special Strategic Partnership" established a decade ago, with a modern focus on semiconductors, defence manufacturing, and green energy. There is also a keen interest in reviewing the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to further streamline trade between the two industrial powerhouses.
Beyond the formal corridors of power, President Lee is slated to engage with industry leaders at a business forum held at Bharat Mandapam, highlighting Seoul's desire to integrate more deeply with India's manufacturing hubs. As the Ministry of External Affairs has noted, this visit serves as a milestone in a relationship that has expanded significantly across technology and infrastructure since 2015. The day’s events will culminate in a joint press statement, outlining a shared vision for a future where both nations act as anchors of stability and innovation in the Indo-Pacific region.
Also read: TMC targets PM Modi over ‘jhalmuri’ break in Jhargram
Follow us
