Ministry of External Affairs Government of India

External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, visited the Republic of Korea (ROK) on March 05-06, 2024 for the 10th India–ROK Joint Commission Meeting (JCM), which he co-chaired on 6th March 2024 with his counterpart H.E. Mr. Cho Tae-yul, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The JCM was attended by representatives from a number of Ministries and Departments in the two governments. It provided the platform for a comprehensive review of bilateral cooperation under India-ROK Special Strategic Partnership in areas of trade, investments, development cooperation, defence and security, science and technology, culture and people-to-people exchange. The two Ministers also explored ways to further extend cooperation to new areas such as critical & emerging technologies, semiconductors, green hydrogen, human resource mobility and resilient supply chains, working both bilaterally and together with other countries. The discussions also covered developments of common interest and concern in the shared Indo-Pacific region. They also shared perspectives on their respective Indo-Pacific visions and strategies and noted the commonality in their initiatives for the region.

During his visit, EAM interacted with many Korean dignitaries and a wide range of interlocutors from all walks of life in ROK. He called on Prime Minister H. E. Mr. Han Duck-soo, and had meetings with Minister of Trade, Industry & Energy H.E. Mr. Ahn Dukgeun, and Director of National Security Office H.E. Mr. Chang Ho-jin . EAM held interactive discussion with heads of Korean think-tanks, academics, business and Indian Diaspora in ROK, sharing views on India’s development, foreign policy and potential and prospects for India-ROK relations.

On 5th March, EAM delivered a speech at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy on the theme of "Broadening horizons: India and Korea in the Indo-Pacific”, demonstrating how India and the RoK can work together for the peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond by building supply chain resilience, leveraging complementary technology strengths, and linking geographies through connectivity.

EAM's visit also allowed age-old civilizational and cultural ties between the two countries to be cherished. He met a delegation led by the Mayor of Gimhae City, Sister City of Ayodhya. India shares an ancient bond of kinship with the Korean people, manifested by Princess Suriratna from Ayodhya, who is known as Queen Heo Hwang-ok in the RoK. EAM also received from revered Monk Domyung a book penned by him on Korea's historical and cultural association with ancient India and Buddhism. EAM visited a special exhibition showcasing India's rich Buddhist heritage at the prestigious National Museum of Korea.

EAM’s visit to the RoK, soon after our countries celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations, provided an opportunity to create new pathways to further strengthen the Special Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

New Delhi
March 06, 2024