The second day of this significant three-day state visit commenced with a grand ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan forecourt. President Lee Jae Myung, accompanied by First Lady Kim Hea-kyung, was received with high honors by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The reception was further distinguished by a vibrant display of welcome by children dressed in traditional attire, waving the national flags of both India and South Korea. Prior to the ceremony, the South Korean President and the First Lady visited Rajghat to pay solemn tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, where they laid a wreath at the memorial of the global icon of peace.
The diplomatic gravity of the visit was underscored by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), which characterized the arrival of the South Korean leader as an important milestone. President Lee and the First Lady arrived in the national capital on Sunday and were received at the airport by Union Minister of State for Corporate Affairs Harsh Malhotra. The MEA later amplified this sentiment on social media, noting that the visit represents a pivotal moment in advancing the bilateral framework. This summit marks the third in-person encounter between Prime Minister Modi and President Lee since the latter took office last year, building upon their previous engagements in 2025 on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg and the G7 Summit in Canada.
Addressing the media on Monday, President Lee emphasized the existential importance of maritime security and resource stability. He noted that because both the Republic of Korea and India depend heavily on the Middle East for crude oil and natural gas, ensuring the security of critical maritime routes is essential to the safety and survival of both nations. To mitigate the risks of dependence on imported energy, President Lee expressed a keen desire to revolutionize the critical mineral supply chain. He proposed a shift from the traditional model of raw material imports toward a sophisticated partnership that combines South Korea’s advanced technology with India’s mining and refining industries to establish a stable and resilient global supply network. This visit stands as a testament to the deepening integration of two of Asia’s major economies, setting a transformative precedent for regional stability and industrial innovation.
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