On the third day of her official visit to the Republic of Korea, Smt. Sumitra Mahajan, Hon’ble Speaker of the Lok Sabha met H.E. President Park Geun Hye of the Republic of Korea.

  The two leaders reviewed the significant progress in the bilateral ties, underlying that much had been achieved following the decision taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Park to upgrade the bilateral partnership to the level of special strategic partnership in May 2015.

  The Speaker recalled the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Park in Laos on September 8, who emphasized the importance India attaches to for the developing this important partnership, and the appreciation in India for the extraordinary role of President Park in leading her country.

  Reviewing economic relationship, the leaders agreed that Korea is a ‘natural partner’ for meeting many of the requirements of India’s rapid economic development. Korean companies which have become household names in India could also derive considerably mutual benefit from their operations in India.

  The leaders also discussed the security situation in Northeast Asia with President Park underlying Korea’s concerns at the continued development of DPRK’s nuclear missile technology. President Park appreciated India prompt reaction to the 5th nuclear test by DPRK. Speaker reiterated India’s publicly articulated condemnation of the nuclear test and also emphasized India’s continued concern over the proliferation of sensitive technologies, with linkages to our region which made both Northeast Asia and Southeast Asiainsecure. In this context, the two leaders also discussed India’s candidature for the partnership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), recognizing that India has much to contribute to securing the world in its full partnership in the international non-proliferation order.

  As Special Strategic partners, Speaker also briefed President Park about recent developments in the Indian State of Jammu & Kashmir including the recent counter-terrorism action taken by Indian forces to neutralize - terrorists assembling at launch bodies across Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. President Park underlined Korea’s clear condemnation of the terror attack on Indian military base in Uri on September 18, reaffirmed her Government’s clear condemnation of all terrorism and her view that terrorism must be eradicated.

  Later in the day, the Hon’ble Speaker accepted Honorary Doctorate in Political Science from Korea’s prestigious university, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS), which was given by President of the University in recognition of the Speaker’s long and continued service to the Indian people. Speaker later addressed that the students of HUFS, including those studying Hindi in the university.

SEOUL

September 30, 2016