Jaishankar meets South Korean FM in Seoul, stresses cooperation amid global challenges
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday met South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun in Seoul, emphasizing the need for like-minded countries to collaborate in a difficult global environment. In his opening remarks, Jaishankar highlighted the timeliness of the meeting, noting that it follows up on a recent presidential visit and comes at a time of global complexity.
Jaishankar recalled his previous interactions with Cho Hyun, including meetings in New York, Kuala Lumpur, Washington, and at the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, as well as during the recent presidential visit. He stressed the responsibility of both foreign ministers to advance the relationship, coordinate government and economic interactions, and shape a more forward-looking partnership.
Shared values and mutual trust key to stronger ties
Jaishankar underscored that the current international situation makes cooperation among trusted partners more important than ever. He stated that countries with shared values and strong mutual trust must work together, citing recent leadership occasions such as the presidential visit and the meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with President Lee Jae-myung at the G7 in Hiroshima as providing guidance for taking ties forward.
Reaffirming India's commitment, Jaishankar assured that there is full commitment from India to realize the potential of the relationship, which many on both sides feel remains largely untapped. He also acknowledged Cho Hyun's personal commitment to the bilateral relationship, noting that from the moment he assumed his post, he has sent strong signals that Jaishankar has reciprocated.
Personal commitment and productive talks expected
Jaishankar expressed value for Cho Hyun's personal commitment and looked forward to very productive talks. The meeting in Seoul is part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to strengthen India-South Korea ties amid a challenging global landscape.
