'State Visit to India' President Lee: "Cooperation to Ensure Safe Navigation in the Strait of Hormuz"

President Lee gives written interview to local media ahead of India visit

"Joint efforts on the international stage"... Strengthening strategic cooperation in AI, defense, and supply chains

At meeting with compatriots, says "Korea–India relations to advance to a new level"

Summit with Prime Minister Modi on the 20th... Bilateral trade to expand to $50 billion by 2030

President Lee Jae-myung, who is on a state visit to India, expressed a joint commitment with India to ensure safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. President Lee also outlined his vision to elevate Korea–India relations to a strategic partnership encompassing trade, defense industry, artificial intelligence (AI), shipbuilding, and key minerals. In support of India's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India) initiative, he said the two countries would discuss cooperation in joint technology development, joint production, operations, and maintenance in the defense industry, including the K9 self-propelled howitzer project.

President Lee Jae-myung, who is on a state visit to India, met with Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Foreign Minister of India, at a hotel in New Delhi on the 19th (local time). Photo by Yonhap News

In an interview released on April 20, 2026 (local time) by the leading Indian daily, The Times of India, President Lee stated, "Since both Korea and India are highly dependent on Middle Eastern oil and gas, ensuring the safety of key maritime routes such as the Strait of Hormuz is essential for both countries." He added, "Korea will work closely with India and make joint efforts in international forums to ensure that vessels can navigate safely and freely." This interview was conducted just prior to President Lee's state visit.

Regarding economic cooperation, President Lee identified improvement of the Korea–India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) as a top priority. He emphasized the need to expand the framework of cooperation beyond manufacturing to include AI, digital technology, shipbuilding, finance, and defense. Given that the industrial structures of India and Korea are complementary, he indicated an intention to push for both institutional improvements and strategic industrial cooperation. Specifically, on AI, President Lee said, "The strength of any nation now depends on AI and semiconductors. If Korea's world-class manufacturing capability is combined with India's software expertise and talent pool, it will benefit both countries' national interests."

President Lee went on to mention that Mahatma Gandhi listed 'science without humanity' as one of the seven social evils, noting that this concept also applies to AI without humanity. He said, "During this visit, a bilateral industrial cooperation committee will be established." To this end, he stressed the need to simplify complex administrative procedures and regulations to proactively improve the business environment.

In the defense sector, President Lee also expressed his willingness to expand cooperation aligned with India's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' policy. He emphasized that Korea can contribute in fields such as technology cooperation, joint production, and operations and maintenance, citing local production of the K9 'Vajra' self-propelled howitzer in India as a representative model of defense collaboration between the two countries. Under the Phase 2 contract signed in April last year, more than 60% of K9 Vajra self-propelled howitzers will be produced in India.

Cooperation on key minerals and supply chains was also identified as a major agenda item. President Lee stated, "Restructuring supply chains to reduce excessive dependence on a single country has become a core challenge for economic security," assessing that India, with its resources and markets, and Korea, with its advanced manufacturing capabilities, can become complementary partners. He also identified shipbuilding as another strategic industry with significant potential for expanded cooperation.

President Lee also highlighted solidarity at the level of the Indo-Pacific strategy. In the interview, he expressed Korea's intention to participate in the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) led by India, stating, "Both countries need to strengthen cooperation on maritime security, supply chain stability, and strategic industries." This underscores the vision of expanding the Korea–India special strategic partnership to encompass security and the broader economy.

Meeting with Indian compatriots, Lee says, "Summit will bring Korea–India relations to a completely new level"

President Lee Jae-myung, who is on a state visit to India, is giving a greeting speech at a dinner meeting for compatriots held at a hotel in New Delhi on the 19th (local time). Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Earlier, on the previous day (April 19, 2026), President Lee stated at a dinner meeting with Korean compatriots at a hotel in central New Delhi that the summit between Korea and India is highly likely to advance their relationship to a completely different level. President Lee said, "As supply chain instability and global economic crises have become constant amid the aftermath of the Middle East war, the two countries will become each other's most important strategic partners," referring to the significance of the summit.

He noted that despite establishing a special strategic partnership in 2015, the relationship has not developed as much as expected and expressed his determination to transform bilateral ties. While evaluating India not as a mere consumer market but as a key nation leading global production and supply chains, he added, "Although the relationship has progressed considerably since establishing the special strategic partnership in 2015, exchanges have not expanded significantly." He also mentioned his meeting with Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar immediately upon his arrival in India, stating, "We agreed that bilateral cooperation has stagnated for quite some time and is not fully satisfactory. Going forward, I will make Korea–India relations completely different from what they are now."

At the event, President Lee referenced the novel 'The Square' by author Choi In-hun, noting, "The story depicts people living on the Korean peninsula who, caught in the tragedy of division, seek a third country. The Korean community in India, where compatriots from the North and South live together, demonstrates the peace and prosperity our peninsula should strive for." He continued, "The first generation of Koreans in India must have endured enormous hardship and sacrifice. Having overcome colonial rule, division, war, and military dictatorship, and now achieving economic development and democratization, I promise that we will do our utmost to ensure such tragedies never occur again in Korea."

President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, who are on a state visit to India, arrived at Palam Air Force Base in New Delhi on the 19th (local time) and are greeting the welcoming officials. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Meanwhile, on the afternoon of April 20, 2026 (Korea Standard Time), President Lee will hold a summit with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. President Lee's schedule begins with attendance at the official welcoming ceremony organized by the Indian government, followed by a small-group summit and expanded summit. Through this summit, the two countries aim to increase bilateral trade volume to 50 billion dollars by 2030 and are expected to issue messages for regional peace and stability. In particular, ways to strengthen cooperation on the global energy supply chain will also be discussed. After the luncheon hosted by the Prime Minister, President Lee will attend the Korea–India Business Forum and the state banquet hosted by Indian President Droupadi Murmu, concluding his state visit to India.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.