President Lee Jae-myung, who is on a state visit to India, will soon hold a summit meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Discussions are expected to focus on expanding economic and cultural exchanges with India, South Asia’s largest trading partner, and on cooperation regarding supply chains amidst the Middle East crisis.
This is reporter Kang Cheong-wan.
President Lee Jae-myung arrived in New Delhi, the capital of India, last night. To commemorate the first state visit of a Korean leader to India in eight years since former President Moon Jae-in in 2018, the Indian Minister of Commerce welcomed the president in an honorary escort, and a performance team dressed in elaborate costumes highlighted traditional Indian dances, warmly welcoming the presidential couple.
Today, on the 20th, President Lee will hold a summit meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Following the meeting, both governments will exchange memorandums of understanding and make a joint press announcement.
The meeting is expected to mainly discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the fields of economy and culture, such as expanding trade and vitalizing human exchanges. There will also be attention on discussions regarding supply chain cooperation amidst the energy crisis caused by the recent Middle East conflicts.
President Lee is also scheduled to attend a Korea-India business meeting with Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun, and LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo.
On his first day in India yesterday, President Lee met with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar as per protocol and had a dinner meeting with local Korean expatriates.
[President Lee Jae-myung: In the wake of the war in the Middle East, the instability of supply chains and the global economic crisis have become constant challenges, making Korea and India the most important strategic partners for each other.]
President Lee will soon begin his official diplomatic schedule in India by attending an official welcome ceremony and laying a wreath at the Gandhi Memorial Park.
(Video coverage: Yoon Hyung, Video editing: Oh Young-taek)