Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a bilateral meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the Hyderbad House in the national capital. Both the leaders were also seen planting a tree. Earlier in the day South Korean President Lee, accompanied by his wife Kim Hea-kyung paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in the national capital. During the visit, the President and the First Lady laid a wreath at the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi. Preceding the visit to Rajghat, the South Korean leader was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan forecourt, marking a significant start to the second day of his high-profile state visit to India. The visiting leader was received by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the reception featuring a vibrant display of welcome by children dressed in traditional attire, waving the national flags of both India and South Korea.
The South Korean President accompanied by First Lady Kim Hea-kyung arrived in the national capital on Sunday for a three-day official tour. They were received at the airport by Union Minister of State for Corporate Affairs Harsh Malhotra. Highlighting the diplomatic significance of the visit, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) observed that it represents an "important milestone" in advancing the "Special Strategic Partnership" between the two countries. In a social media post on X, the MEA noted: "President Lee was received by Shri Harsh Malhotra, MoS, Ministry of Corporate Affairs and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The visit marks an important milestone in advancing the India-South Korea Special Strategic Partnership." Meanwhile, in a written interview with The Times of India today, held before his summit talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the South Korean Presiddent noted that the effective closure of the critical shipping route due to the prolonged conflict between the United States and Iran has been driving up global oil prices while also disrupting supply chains for key industrial materials.