South Korean president likely to visit India next year

New Delhi – India and South Korea Saturday reviewed their strategic ties at a meeting of the joint commission here during which the possibility of a visit to India by President Park Geun-hye in early 2014 was also discussed.

Both sides held the seventh India-Republic of Korea Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) in New Delhi. The Indian side was led by External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, while the Republic of Korea (ROK) side was led by Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se. The Indian delegation included representatives of the Ministries of External Affairs, Defence, Civil Aviation, Shipping, Commerce & Industry and the Government of Odisha, said a statement.

The two ministers conducted a comprehensive review of bilateral relations, which have been upgraded to a Strategic Partnership and have acquired range and depth over the past few years. Noting that high level political exchanges had imparted momentum to the relationship, they discussed the possibility of a visit to India by ROK President Madame Park Geun-hye in early 2014.

The JCM deliberated on ways to add strategic and economic content to bilateral ties including in the political, security, trade, investment, consular, scientific and cultural spheres. Regional and international issues of mutual interest were also discussed, the statement said.

Foreign Minister Yun invited Khurshid to visit Seoul next year for the 8th India-ROK Joint Commission Meeting at a mutually convenient time.