EAM S Jaishankar’s Bilateral Visits to South Korea and Japan to Strengthen Strategic Partnerships

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has announced that Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is scheduled to undertake bilateral visits to the Republic of Korea and Japan from March 5th to March 8th. During his visit, Minister Jaishankar will engage in high-level diplomatic discussions aimed at bolstering strategic partnerships and advancing cooperation in various domains.

The highlight of the itinerary includes the co-chairing of the 10th India-Republic of Korea Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) alongside his Korean counterpart Cho-Tae Yul in Seoul. The JCM meeting will serve as a platform to review and enhance bilateral cooperation across diverse sectors such as trade, investments, defence, education, science, technology, and culture. Both sides are expected to exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, underscoring the robust and multifaceted nature of the India-Republic of Korea Special Strategic Partnership.

Following the JCM meeting, Minister Jaishankar will proceed to Japan for the 16th India-Japan Foreign Ministers Strategic Dialogue with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa. This dialogue will focus on strengthening bilateral ties and addressing key issues of bilateral, regional, and global significance. Of particular importance will be discussions on cooperation for a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, aligning with the shared vision of both countries.

Moreover, Minister Jaishankar is set to participate in the inaugural Raisina Roundtable in Tokyo, a significant initiative aimed at fostering track 2 exchanges between India and Japan. This platform will facilitate interactions with business leaders, think tanks, and academia, aiming to deepen strategic cooperation and explore new avenues for collaboration.

The MEA emphasized the deepening of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership over the past decade, particularly in critical areas such as defence, digital technologies, clean energy, and connectivity. Minister Jaishankar’s engagements in Tokyo are expected to provide strategic direction to functional cooperation in these vital sectors, further solidifying the bilateral relationship.

In its statement, the MEA reiterated that the visits to South Korea and Japan, two of India’s major partners, will inject fresh impetus into bilateral exchanges and chart the course for future cooperation. These diplomatic efforts underscore India’s commitment to strengthening ties with key regional players and fostering a conducive environment for peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.