India, South Korea sign 7 agreements; vow to deepen defence and economic cooperation
Seoul: India and South Korea on Monday agreed to upgrade their ties to 'Special Strategic Partnership' and deepen cooperation in defence sector as the two sides signed seven agreements including on avoidance of double taxation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived here on Monday from Mongolia on the last leg of his three-nation tour, held wide-ranging talks with South Korean President Park Geun-hye at Cheong Wae Dae, the office and residence of the President.
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"We have agreed to upgrade the bilateral relationship to 'Special Strategic Partnership'," Modi said at a joint press interaction with President Park after their "excellent" talks. "We have laid the foundation for a relationship that two major Asian countries with shared values should have," he said, adding that decisions made today reflect how seriously the two countries take the new framework of the relationship.
Wonderful being in Seoul. My gratitude to the Indian community here for the very warm welcome. pic.twitter.com/zcg5QHzFpV
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 18, 2015Noting that India considers South Korea a "crucial partner" in its economic modernisation, Modi said South Korea could be a leading partner in India's efforts to develop a world-class manufacturing sector.
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"Our relationship started with a strong economic emphasis. But, it has also now become strategic in content," the Prime Minister said.
Modi said South Korea is the second country (after Japan) with which India will have a diplomatic and security dialogue in 2+2 format, referring to a bilateral dialogue process involving the foreign and defence ministers of the two sides.
Stating that the national security councils of the two sides will have regular cooperation, Modi said the two nations have agreed to expand cooperation between their armed forces.
Glimpses from the Wreath Laying Ceremony, a short while ago. pic.twitter.com/dp7XA7QIN4
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 18, 2015Read: Narendra Modi visits Gandan monastery in Mongolia, gifts Bodhi sapling
"We intend to deepen our cooperation in defence technology and manufacture of defence equipment in India. This sector offers huge opportunities in India," he said.
The Prime Minister said South Korean President's response has been positive on the participation of Korean companies in the defence sector in India.
