South Korean Foreign Affairs Minister Cho Hyun has declared that relations between South Korea and India have reached a "new level" following extensive discussions with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Seoul. The meeting, which lasted approximately three hours and continued through a working lunch, focused on evaluating the swift implementation of agreements made during South Korean President Lee Jae-myung's state visit to India in April 2026.
Three-hour meeting yields progress assessment
Minister Cho took to social media platform X to detail the outcomes of the engagement. "Today, I held an extended meeting with Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India's External Affairs Minister, lasting about three hours and continuing through lunch," Cho wrote. He emphasized that President Lee's state visit to India last April "provided the momentum to elevate Korea-India relations to a new level." The two ministers assessed progress on follow-up measures in trade, investment, and finance, and discussed ways to advance them further.
Korea Week and business support initiatives
A key focus of the bilateral agenda is enhanced support for businesses from both countries. Minister Cho expressed appreciation for the Indian government's proactive approach, noting that "this week, the Prime Minister's Office of India is hosting 'Korea Week', delivering on PM Modi's promise to directly address challenges faced by Korean businesses in India." In a reciprocal move, Cho confirmed that South Korea "will soon host a similar dialogue for Indian companies in Korea."
Geopolitical discussions amid West Asia tensions
The ministers also addressed broader geopolitical and economic concerns, particularly the rapidly changing global situation and tensions in West Asia. "Over the subsequent lunch, Minister Jaishankar and I engaged in an in-depth discussion on the rapidly changing global situation. Our two countries also agreed to maintain close communication in responding to the economic ripple effects stemming from changes in the Middle East situation," Cho wrote.
Jeju Forum to continue dialogue
The diplomatic dialogue is set to continue at the Jeju Forum on Thursday. Minister Cho expressed anticipation, stating, "Minister Jaishankar and I are scheduled to meet again tomorrow at the Jeju Forum. I look forward to his sharp perspective and profound insights on bilateral relations and the international landscape shining through once more." Jaishankar arrived in South Korea on Wednesday for a high-level two-day visit, reaffirming ties between the two nations.
Joint Strategic Vision for 2026-2030
Upon his arrival in Seoul, Jaishankar met with his South Korean counterpart and held key discussions on cooperation across various sectors. Both sides continued discussions from President Lee's meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April, where they agreed on the Joint Strategic Vision for implementing and adding further content to the India-ROK Special Strategic Partnership in the next five years (2026-2030).
India-Korea Friendship Festival in 2028
Welcoming President Lee on his maiden state visit to India in April, PM Modi announced the launch of the India-Korea Friendship Festival in 2028 to celebrate their shared heritage. "India and Korea share a relationship that goes back thousands of years. The story of Princess Suriratna of Ayodhya and King Kim Suro of Korea is part of our shared heritage. Today, K-pop and K-dramas are very popular in India. President Lee is also a fan of Indian cinema. We will launch the India-Korea Friendship Festival in 2028," PM Modi said in a joint press statement.
