New Delhi: India and South Korea today
discussed a host of bilateral issues with External Affairs
Minister S M Krishna, who is on a official visit there,
suggesting that South Korean satellites could be launched by
Indian launch vehicles.
Describing the 40 minute meeting between Krishna and
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak as "constructive and
fruitful", the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement
that the two leaders underscored the importance of increasing
people-to-people exchanges to bolster the bilateral strategic
partnership.
Recalling his "landmark" visit here this year as the
chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations, Lee
appreciated Krishna`s visit to Seoul for the 6th Joint
Commission meeting (JCM), soon after his own, which would give
further impetus to bilateral relations and the initiatives
announced during his visit to India.
Krishna also suggested a bust of Rabindranath Tagore, who
had described Korea as the ‘Lamp of the East’, be installed at
a prominent location in Seoul.
Warming to the idea, President Lee said he would make a
strong recommendation to the concerned city authorities to
identify a suitable location for installing the Tagore
in 2011, the 150th birth anniversary of the Nobel Laureate.
Referring to the MOU for cooperation signed last January
between the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and
Korean Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), Krishna suggested
ROK satellites could be launched by Indian launch vehicles.
President Lee agreed with the suggestion and asked his
officials to do the necessary follow-up.
Krishna also interacted with prominent members of the
Indian community and apprised them about the strategic
partnership between the two countries.
He said bilateral ties were on the cusp of a major
take-off and exhorted the Indian community to assist the
process as well as to make the best use of emerging
opportunities for greater trade and investment.
Krishna will be co-chairing the 6th India-ROK Joint
Commission Meeting with his South Korean counterpart tomorrow.
PTI
