India And Republic Of Korea Share Civilisational Ties Going Back Centuries: Lok Sabha Speaker

Birla said today that India and Republic of Korea share civilisational ties going back centuries. He stated that both nations share a rich Buddhist heritage and close people-to-people contacts. He reaffirmed India’s strong commitment to deepening bilateral ties through enhanced bilateral engagement.

He made these remarks while welcoming a delegation from Republic of Korea, led by H.E. Mr. Yun Hojung, Minister of the Interior and Safety of the Republic of Korea and Chairperson of Republic of Korea-India Parliamentary Friendship Group, at Parliament House today.

Highlighting the importance India attaches to its relationship with the Republic of Korea, Shri Birla noted that the two countries, as leading Asian economies and vibrant democracies, share common values of democracy, the rule of law, and human-centred development. He underlined the vast potential for the two countries to collaborate on emerging technologies like AI, green energy, and semiconductors. He also outlined India’s large market and its talented young workforce as attractive avenues for Korean investment. Highlighting opportunities in infrastructure and manufacturing, the Speaker welcomed the Republic of Korea’s growing interest in participating in India’s development initiatives and stressed that enhanced collaboration in these sectors would yield mutual benefits. He also emphasized that the growing popularity of yoga, Ayurveda, and Indian culture in the Republic of Korea reflects the deepening connections between the people of the two countries and provides a strong basis for further strengthening bilateral relations.

Underscoring the importance of parliamentary diplomacy, the Speaker emphasized that regular exchanges between lawmakers contribute significantly to strengthening bilateral relations. In this context, he noted that Parliamentary Friendship Groups have emerged as effective platforms for dialogue, exchange of experiences, and the sharing of best parliamentary practices.

Speaking on the occasion, H.E. Mr. Yun Hojung thanked Shri Birla for his warm hospitality and commended his role as the Speaker of the world’s largest democracy. He underlined the close cooperation between the two countries in various fields like IT, AI, and automotives. Noting India’s infrastructure boom, he commended that the two countries can cooperate in producing world-class infrastructure in India. On effective disaster management and the sharing of best practices, he expressed Republic of Korea’s willingness to become a part of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).