On May 20, 2023, PM Narendra Modi held productive bilateral talks with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, during which they agreed to deepen cooperation in areas related to defence, IT hardware manufacturing, trade and investment.
They also discussed India’s G-20 presidency and South Korea’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. Both leaders met on the sidelines of the G-7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan.
The External Affairs Ministry, in a tweet, said, “PM Narendra Modi had a productive meeting with President of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol. India and the Republic of Korea share a warm friendship and deep-rooted cultural linkages. Today’s talks focused on ways to further cement this friendship in key developmental sectors.”
“Advancing Special Strategic Partnership. PM Modi met President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea (ROK),” it said.
During the meeting, they reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen bilateral ties further as the two nations celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations in 2023.
The ministry said they agreed to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, high technology, IT hardware manufacturing, defence, semiconductors, and culture.
South Korea launched its first comprehensive regional strategy (Indo-Pacific Strategy) in December 2022. The US, India, and several other world powers have been discussing the need to ensure a free, open and thriving Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China’s military manoeuvring in the resource-rich region.
The Peoples Republic of China (PRC) claims nearly all of the disputed South China Sea, though Vietnam, Taiwan, Philippines, Brunei and Malaysia claim parts of the sea. Beijing has built artificial islands and military installations in the South China Sea.
In addition, China has territorial disputes with Japan in the East China Sea, including Senkaku and Diaoyudao Islands
