Prime Minister Narendra Modi met South Korea’s President Lee Jae-myung on the sidelines of the G20 Summit on Saturday, reaffirming both leaders’ commitment to deepen the India–South Korea Special Strategic Partnership and expand cooperation across trade, investment and advanced technologies.
“Had a wonderful meeting with President Mr. Lee Jae-myung of the Republic of Korea during the Johannesburg G20 Summit. This is our second meeting this year, indicative of the strong momentum in our Special Strategic Partnership. We exchanged perspectives to further deepen our economic and investment linkages,” PM Modi posted on X after the meeting.
The leaders last met in June on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, where they agreed to explore cooperation in sectors including commerce, investment, technology, green hydrogen and shipbuilding. India’s Ministry of External Affairs said on June 18 that both sides had agreed to pursue partnerships in trade and the economy, critical and emerging technologies, culture and people-to-people contacts.
Marking the 10th anniversary of the Special Strategic Partnership, President Lee said he hoped to elevate bilateral ties “across the board.” He noted that roughly 550 South Korean companies operate in India and urged higher-level communication and deeper collaboration in the economy, advanced technology, defence, the arms industry and cultural exchanges.
The meeting came on a busy day for PM Modi at the G20: he also held talks with several other world leaders, including Britain’s Keir Starmer, Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and announced a new trilateral Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Analysts say the renewed engagements underline both countries’ push to translate high-level diplomacy into concrete business, technology and defence projects as New Delhi and Seoul seek to broaden strategic and commercial ties.
(IANS)
