South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin, who arrived in New Delhi on Friday, thanked his Indian counterpart for extending a warm welcome during his visit to India.
“Mujhe India aa kar aur aapse mil kar bhut khushi ho rahi hai,” the South Korean Foreign Minister said after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar welcomed him to India.
The two foreign ministers also discussed the Ukraine conflict and the overall situation in the Indo-Pacific region, a region that has seen Chinese military assertiveness. Park is on a two-day visit to India.
Both the ministers discuss trade and investment, defence, science and technology
On the bilateral side, the Jaishankar-Park dialogue covers cooperation in the areas of trade and investment, defence, science and technology, energy, space, semiconductors, emerging technologies and cultural exchanges.
In his opening remarks at the meeting, Jaishankar said, “I am indeed delighted to have this opportunity to take forward our Special Strategic Partnership. This also marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations.”
“And you have come at a very good time, because our trade is very good, our political relations are very cooperative,” he said. In his opening remarks, Park noted the commonalities between the two sides and their commitment to the Indo-Pacific.
“We are both exemplary democracies, vibrant economies and cultural powers, and we are both determined to contribute to a free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region,” he said.
“As such, South Korea and India are natural partners and I firmly believe that the Special Strategic Partnership between our two countries is the strongest partnership in the Indo-Pacific region,” the South Korean Foreign Minister said.
Park notes India’s important role
Park also talked about India’s “increasingly important role” in the international fora and said the country is poised to further influence the world as chair of the G20.
He added, “India has showcased its cultural prowess to the world with the recent Oscar win, and I must say the ‘Naatu Naatu’ song and dance has captivated the world.”
In a Twitter post, Jaishankar described the talks as “warmth and comprehensive”. “Our relations saw steady progress. Political contacts, trade and investment, defence, science and technology, energy, space, semiconductors, emerging technologies and cultural exchanges were discussed,” he said.
“Also shared vision about our neighbourhood, our approach and policies in Indo-Pacific and Ukraine conflict. Agreed to cooperate closely on global and multilateral issues,” he said. Before meeting Jaishankar, Park met Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.
(with inputs from agencies)
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