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The Eighth Meeting of the India – Republic of Korea Joint Commission (JCM) was held on 29^th December 2014 in Seoul. The Meeting was co-chaired by Smt. Sushma Swaraj, External Affairs Minister of India (EAM) and Mr. Yun Byung-se, Minister of Foreign Affairs (FM) of Republic of Korea (RoK). 

During the visit, EAM called on President Madame Park Geun-hye and held meetings with the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy and the National Security Advisor.  EAM will be meeting the Minister of National Defence on 30 December 2014.

This is the highest level visit from India to RoK after the assumption of power by the new government in India. EAM and FM Yun comprehensively reviewed the development of bilateral relations since the successful visit of President Park Geun-hye to India in January this year and expressed their satisfaction at the steady expansion of bilateral ties. They underscored the importance of high-level exchanges in imparting necessary momentum to the bilateral relationship.  The Korean side reiterated a cordial invitation for an early official visit of Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi to RoK.  EAM welcomed the invitation adding that both sides will work closely to ensure a productive and successful visit of Prime Minister Modi at a mutually convenient early date. 

The meeting afforded opportunity for the two Ministers to hold in-depth consultations on all aspects of bilateral relations with a view to chart out a road map for further strengthening and deepening of bilateral Strategic Partnership. There was agreement on the considerable potential for further expanding bilateral economic and investment cooperation.  EAM invited RoK to become an important partner of India in the ‘Make in India’ initiative.  FM Yun welcomed it and agreed to encourage the Korean industry to engage with India even more closely. 

 The sides also agreed that development of cooperation in the field of defence equipment and technology, as well as, sectors like shipbuilding, electronics, IT, energy and infrastructure held considerable possibilities.  They reiterated mutual interest in deepening cooperation in the areas of civil nuclear energy and cyber security. 

The two Ministers exchanged views on global and regional developments and agreed to step-up exchanges between officials and academics of the two sides. 

EAM invited FM Yun to visit India next year for the 9^th India-ROK Joint Commission Meeting at a mutually convenient time, which was gladly accepted. 

Seoul

December 29, 2014