SEOUL, KOREA- The National Security Advisor (NSA) to Prime Minister of India, Mr. Shivshankar Menon, on his official visit to Seoul, called on President Madame Park Guen-hye today.
He was accompanied by Ambassador Vishnu Prakash, Joint Secretary Gautam Bambawale, of the Ministry of External Affairs and other officials. He conveyed the warm greetings of Prime Minister (PM) Dr. Manmohan Singh and handed over his personal letter to her. PM noted that there was ‘enormous goodwill in India for the Republic of Korea’ and that he looked forward to welcoming her in India at an early date. He expressed confidence that her visit would open up new opportunities of greater cooperation in political, economic, security, people to people and other spheres. President Park conveyed her regards to PM and accepted the invitation with pleasure. Dates will be worked out through diplomatic channels.
Mr. Menon arrived on the first bilateral visit by an Indian NSA to Seoul on 30th June. Yesterday he held discussions with his counterpart Mr. Kim Jang-soo and also met with Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin. The latter had visited India in 2012. The Korean NSA had visited India as Defense Minister in 2007.
The sides expressed happiness at the rapid expansion of bilateral relations in economic, political, cultural, educational and other areas, given growing convergence of interests and outlook. They exchanged views on adding greater content to engagement especially in the political, strategic and security sectors. They also compared notes on a variety of bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest.
India and South Korea are currently celebrating the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
