External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held extensive talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun in Seoul on Wednesday, focusing on strengthening bilateral cooperation and reviewing developments in the rapidly evolving global landscape. According to reports from PTI, Jaishankar is currently in South Korea on a two-day visit - the second leg of an ongoing foreign tour - after having visited Mongolia. In his opening remarks, Jaishankar expressed great pleasure to be back in Seoul and meet Cho and his team, noting that the meeting was timely, given the state of the world and the importance of the bilateral relationship. As per PTI, Jaishankar emphasised that both countries remain committed to expanding their strategic partnership and unlocking its full potential, with the discussions continuing through lunch for around three hours.
The talks focused on follow-up measures in key areas of trade, investment and finance, agreed during South Korean President Lee Jae-myung's state visit to India in April. Jaishankar emphasised that as foreign ministers, it was their responsibility to take the relationship forward and build a more forward-looking, contemporary partnership. The discussions covered cooperation across political, shipbuilding, trade, investments, defence, technology, clean energy, culture and people-to-people domains. Jaishankar highlighted opportunities for collaboration in emerging sectors such as startups, fintech and innovation, while exchanging views on regional and global developments. The discussions followed agreements reached during South Korean President Lee Jae-myung's state visit to India in April, with both sides reviewing progress on trade, investment and financial cooperation initiatives.
During the talks, Cho Hyun and Subrahmanyam Jaishankar exchanged views on the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East and its implications for global supply chains. According to Seoul's foreign ministry, "The two sides shared the view that the swift and safe reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the free and secure navigation of all vessels are critical to global security and economic stability." The ministers agreed to maintain close communication and continue supporting international efforts toward that end. This discussion reflects the growing importance of Middle Eastern developments for global economic stability and bilateral cooperation between India and South Korea.
Cho Hyun described President Lee's visit to India in April as a milestone in elevating bilateral ties and welcomed swift follow-up progress in areas such as trade, investment and finance. Cho appreciated India's efforts to address concerns raised by Korean businesses operating in the country and highlighted India's hosting of "Korea Week" this week, which fulfilled Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to directly address challenges faced by Korean businesses in India. Cho announced plans for a similar engagement platform for Indian companies in South Korea, demonstrating mutual commitment to strengthening bilateral economic ties and addressing business challenges faced by both countries' companies operating in each other's territories. The two foreign ministers also had an in-depth discussion on the rapidly changing global landscape and agreed to maintain close communication in responding to economic implications stemming from developments in West Asia.
According to PTI, both ministers discussed the economic implications of developments in West Asia and agreed to maintain close coordination in addressing their impact. Cho expressed gratitude for India's strong support and noted that Korea will soon host a similar dialogue for Indian companies in Korea, reflecting the growing bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors and the commitment of both countries to maintain close coordination on regional and international issues. Jaishankar and Cho are scheduled to meet again on Thursday at the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity, where the former will deliver the keynote speech, continuing their dialogue on strengthening the India-South Korea strategic partnership. The Jeju Forum kicked off Wednesday for a three-day run on the southern resort island of Jeju, providing a platform for continued diplomatic engagement.
