Jaishankar: India And South Korea Are Mutually Significant Partners

During his two-day visit to South Korea, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that the status of India and South Korea as “important partners” has been reinforced and bilateral contacts are continuing. Jaishankar emphasized the need to expand cooperation into new areas such as important and emerging technologies, semiconductors, green hydrogen and nuclear cooperation. The Minister emphasized the importance of elevating relations between the two countries to a special partnership in 2015 and celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2023.

Speaking at the 10th India-North Korea Joint Committee meeting in Seoul, Jaishankar emphasized the importance of meeting partners’ expectations. He praised the development of bilateral relations in the fields of trade, investment, defense and cooperation in science and technology. Jaishankar and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol expressed their determination to advance cooperation and expressed their agreement on international issues, especially security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

During the visit, Jaishankar congratulated Cho Tae-yeol on his appointment as South Korea’s Foreign Minister. The meetings aimed to expand cooperation in new areas while maintaining the strength of cooperation in traditional areas. Topics include critical and emerging technologies, semiconductors, green hydrogen, workforce mobility, nuclear cooperation and supply chain resilience. Jaishankar referred to instructions given during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with South Korean President Yun Sook-yeol in 2023.

Apart from the joint meeting, Jaishankar also met with South Korean Minister of Commerce, Industry and Energy Ahn Cheol Soo-deok-keun to discuss trade and cooperation. The President, who also joined the delegation of experts, said that as the integration between the two countries increases, the exchange of information also increases. The meeting with National Security Agency director Jang Ho-jin focused on unity in the Indo-Pacific region and discussed regional and international issues.

The special cooperation between India and South Korea has spread across many areas such as trade, investment, defence, education, science and technology, urine and culture. This Joint Meeting offers the two countries the opportunity to monitor bilateral cooperation and explore ways to strengthen relations. It also facilitates the exchange of views on common interests in regional and international relations.