External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, currently on a two-day official visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK), held a strategic dialogue on Wednesday with Wi Sung-lac, Director of the Office of National Security.
The meeting formed a key part of Jaishankar’s broader diplomatic outreach aimed at aligning India and South Korea’s perspectives on an increasingly complex global environment.
In a post on X, Jaishankar said the discussions focused on exchanging strategic assessments on global developments and the evolving geopolitical situation in the Indo-Pacific region.
Given the shared interest of both countries in maintaining a stable and rules-based international order, the talks underscored the importance of close coordination between New Delhi and Seoul.
“Glad to meet Wi Sung-lac, Director of National Security of the ROK, this evening. Had a useful exchange of strategic assessments on global developments and the Indo-Pacific,” Jaishankar posted on X.
The meeting followed a productive round of talks earlier in the day between Jaishankar and his South Korean counterpart, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun. Their discussions focused on implementing commitments made during President Lee Jae-myung’s state visit to India in April 2026, when both sides adopted the Joint Strategic Vision aimed at strengthening and expanding the India-ROK Special Strategic Partnership over the next five years (2026–2030).
Following his meeting with Jaishankar, Cho Hyun highlighted the growing momentum in bilateral ties and reflected on the progress achieved since President Lee’s visit.
“Today, I held an extended meeting with Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar), India’s External Affairs Minister, lasting about three hours and continuing through lunch. President Lee Jae-myung’s state visit to India in April last year provided the momentum to elevate Korea-India relations to a new level. Minister Jaishankar and I reviewed the rapid progress made on follow-up measures in areas such as trade, investment and finance, as agreed during last April’s summit, and discussed ways to advance them further,” Cho wrote on X.
He added that a key focus of the current bilateral agenda is strengthening support for businesses in both countries. Cho appreciated the Indian government’s proactive efforts, 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 said South Korea would soon host a similar dialogue for Indian companies operating in the country.
The ministers also discussed broader geopolitical and economic challenges, including the impact of tensions in West Asia.
“Over 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 developments in the Middle East,” Cho said.
The two leaders are scheduled to continue their discussions at the Jeju Forum on Thursday. Looking ahead to the meeting, Cho said he looked forward to hearing Jaishankar’s insights on bilateral relations and global affairs.
Jaishankar’s visit will conclude on June 25 with his participation in the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity, where he is scheduled to deliver the keynote address. The series of high-level engagements underscores India’s proactive “Act East” policy and highlights the India-ROK partnership as a key pillar of stability and growth in the Indo-Pacific region.
(ANI)
