Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived South Korea on Thursday’s morning to hold talks aimed at bolstering the special strategic partnership between India and South Korea, as well also boosting the country’s bilateral cultural and trade ties.
According to ANI news reports, the prime minister’s visit to Seoul is considered to be the second official visit to the Republic of Korea after his state visit in May 2015.
Modi described S Korea as a valued friend and partner with which India has shared special strategic partnership initiatives like “Make in India”, “Clean India”, and “Start-Up India”.
According to India’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Raveesh Kumar, during this visit, the prime minister is also scheduled to have a business and bilateral engagements also unveil a bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Seoul, as well as accepted the Seoul Peace Prize conferred upon him. Modi is also expected to pay a visit to the Indian community.
Raveesh Kumar has said this visit will bolster India’s strong and special strategic partnership with S Korea and will also introduce a fresh dimension in “Look East Policy”.
In an official statement, Modi said he was visiting at the Republic of Korea at the invitation of South Korean President Moon Jae-in. Modi said, “My visit to the Republic of Korea is reflective of the importance we both attach to our relationship.”
Modi said: “We regard the Republic of Korea as a valued friend, a nation with which we have a special strategic partnership. As fellow democracies, India and the ROK have shared values and a shared vision for regional and global peace. As fellow market economies, our needs and strengths are complementary.”
This evening, I will be leaving for the Republic of Korea at the invitation of President @moonriver365.
We regard the Republic of Korea as a valued friend with which we have a Special Strategic Partnership.
The visit will boost bilateral cooperation. https://t.co/HTIdz1eQwq
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 20, 2019
Before living for New Delhi, Modi also tweeted: “During our talks, President @moonriver365 and I will take forward our conversations from last year on how best to advance the India-ROK partnership. I will also meet business leaders, the Indian community as well as eminent persons from all walks of life.”
During our talks, President @moonriver365 and I will take forward our conversations from last year on how best to advance the India-ROK partnership.
I will also meet business leaders, the Indian community as well as eminent persons from all walks of life.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 20, 2019
He will also be holding extensive dialogues with Moon, following which both sides are expected to sign various MoUs.
The prime minister said, “The growing depth and variety in our relationship have been accentuated by the harmony between our ‘Act East’ policy and ROK’s ‘New Southern’ policy. Working together, we are determined to take our relationship forward as a ‘future-oriented partnership for people, prosperity and peace’.”
He added saying, “Our collaboration in the field of science and technology is encouraging, with our joint research ranging from basic to advanced sciences.”