Lee Jae-myung Lands in India, First Korean Presidential Visit in 8 Years

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung arrived in New Delhi on Sunday for a three-day state visit — the first by a South Korean leader to India in more than eight years — in a move aimed at reinvigorating bilateral ties.

Lee, who took office in June 2025, is accompanied by First Lady Kim Hea-kyung and is scheduled to hold key talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar described the visit as a significant step in advancing the India–South Korea partnership.

Officials see the trip as part of Seoul’s broader outreach to the Global South and a chance to “reboot” ties with India.

PUSH FOR STRONGER STRATEGIC, ECONOMIC LINKS

India and South Korea elevated ties to a Special Strategic Partnership in 2015, with cooperation spanning semiconductors, defence manufacturing, green energy, infrastructure and digital technology.

The visit is expected to inject fresh momentum into these areas, with a focus on expanding trade, boosting investment flows and strengthening collaboration in critical technologies. Discussions may also centre on upgrading the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and deepening defence cooperation under India’s “Make in India” initiative.

KEY MEETINGS AND AGREEMENTS

President Lee will begin engagements with a meeting with S. Jaishankar before being accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He is also scheduled to visit Rajghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. The highlight of the visit will be a bilateral summit at Hyderabad House, where Lee and Narendra Modi will hold detailed discussions.

Several agreements, particularly in trade and emerging technologies, are expected to be signed, followed by a joint statement outlining a shared vision for a stable Indo-Pacific.