NEW DELHI – The President of South Korea, Lee Jae-myung, is set to undertake a state visit to India from April 19 to 21, 2026. Accompanied by First Lady Kim Hye-kyung and a high-level delegation of ministers and business leaders, this marks President Lee’s inaugural visit to the country.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted that the visit signifies a deepening of the multifaceted partnership between the two nations, grounded in democratic values and civilizational ties.
Strengthening the “Special Strategic Partnership”
The core of the visit involves high-level bilateral discussions between President Lee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The leaders are expected to focus on scaling cooperation in several critical and futuristic sectors:
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High-Tech Manufacturing: Focused discussions on semiconductors, AI, and shipbuilding, where South Korea holds global leadership.
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Trade & Investment: Reviewing existing economic frameworks to boost bilateral trade and industrial investment.
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Emerging Technologies: Collaboration on critical and emerging technologies to strengthen supply chain resilience.
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Cultural Ties: Enhancing people-to-people connect and expanding cultural exchange programs.
Diplomatic Engagements
In addition to the summit-level talks with Prime Minister Modi—who will also host a lunch in the dignitary’s honor—President Lee is scheduled to:
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Meet President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
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Receive a call from External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar to discuss regional security and global issues of mutual interest.
Strategic Significance
This visit comes at a time when both nations are looking to expand their roles in the Indo-Pacific region. By focusing on semiconductors and AI, India and South Korea aim to align their economic goals with global shifts in technology and security. The presence of a significant business delegation suggests that several high-value commercial agreements and MoUs may be signed during the three-day visit.
