By Meletus EZE
Enhancing economic cooperation is high on the agenda as talks between visiting South Korean President, Moon Jae-in, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, get underway in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Diplomatic sources said the bilateral talks are expected to be followed by the signing of several agreements, including an updated Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
The two sides are also expected to announce the formation of an India-Korea strategy group to identify research projects and exchange programmes in the areas of software, biotechnology, energy, cybersecurity and health care.
Moon, who arrived in New Delhi on Sunday on a four-day visit, said he is committed to raising South Korea’s relations with India to the level of those with China, Japan, Russia and the U.S.
He addressed some business leaders of the two countries on Monday, hours before inaugurating a new expansion of a Samsung mobile phone manufacturing unit on the outskirts of the capital with Modi.
Moon said “the opportunities of expanding ties between the two countries were ‘boundless’.
“There are more than 500 South Korean companies operating in India in the automobile, electronics and textiles sectors.
“Going forward, we will expand cooperation to various areas, including shipbuilding, medical devices and food processing,’’ Moon said.
The South Korean President, who is accompanied by his wife, Kim Jung-sook, and a large delegation of officials, was given a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan the presidential palace.
