During his bilateral visit to India, Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun held his first bilateral meeting with External Affairs Minister of India Subrahmanyam Jaishankar since taking office, on August 16 in New Delhi. The two ministers discussed high-level exchanges, practical cooperation, and regional affairs.

Minister Cho underscored that the new Korean administration is pursuing diplomatic diversification, including by continuing and advancing its New Southern Policy, in line with its own vision of being a “responsible global power that responds pragmatically to changes in the international order.”  He emphasized that, as part of such efforts, Korea seeks to further advance its Special Strategic Partnership with India, its key partner in the Asia-Pacific region. Minister Jaishankar expressed appreciation to Minister Cho, former Ambassador to India, for visiting New Delhi less than a month into his tenure. He stressed that India also places great importance on strengthening cooperation with Korea’s new administration.

The two ministers noted ongoing close high-level exchanges between the two countries since the inauguration of the new Korean government, including the bilateral summit in Canada on June 17 on the margins of the 2025 G7 Summit and the visit of the President’s special envoys to India on July 17–18. They agreed to elevate Korea-India relations to a new level through deeper strategic communication and all-around cooperation, as the two countries mark the 10th anniversary of their Special Strategic Partnership this year.

Both ministers agreed to further invigorate high-level communication, including at the leader’s level. Minister Jaishankar extended an invitation for the Korean President to visit India at a mutually convenient time.

The ministers further agreed to move forward negotiations for upgrading the Korea-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA); to strengthen cooperation in economic security areas, including supply chains and critical technologies; and to continue expanding cooperation on defense and the relevant industry. On that note, Minister Cho requested India’s special attention to and support for Korean companies operating in India.

The two ministers acknowledged the long-standing historical and cultural ties between the two nations as well as the growing interest of their peoples in each other’s cultures; and agreed to further expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

The ministers also engaged in an in-depth exchange of views on regional and global affairs, including situation on the Korean Peninsula.