New Delhi, July 10: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-In on Tuesday to strengthen bilateral relations between the two nations. Both the leaders also held a press conference after the talks. A total of 11 Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) and agreements were signed between India and South Korea for cooperation in the fields of biotechnology, bio-economics, ICT and Telecommunications among others.

PM Modi praised Moon for taking an initiative to establish peace in the Korean Peninsula. The Prime Minister said, “Credit for accelerating the peace process in the Korean peninsula goes to President Moon Jae-in. I believe that the positive environment that has been created is an effort of President Moon.” The Prime Minister also ensured cooperation to reduce tension in the region. He said, “The proliferation links between north Asia & South Asia are a matter of concern of India, India is a stakeholder in the peace process. We will offer all possible cooperation in order to reduce tension. We have also decided to step upscale of consultation and cooperation.”

PM Modi also hailed South Korea’s participation in ‘Make in India’ campaign. He said that South Korea’s participation in the campaign had created many employment opportunities in India. He further added that Korean companies had made an identity for themselves in every household of India due to their commitment. Yesterday, both the leaders inaugurated the 'world's biggest mobile manufacturing unit' by South Korean giant 'Samsung'.

South Korean President Moon said that for the last 45 years India-Korea relations have developed a lot. He further added that PM Modi’s visit to the nation had further taken the ties to a new level. Moon also appreciated India’s ‘Act East Policy’. He said, "Now three years have passed PM Modi's 'Act East Policy' has importance to co-operation to Korea and I'm pressing ahead with 'New Southern Policy' that makes India Korea's key partner for cooperation.” The South Korean President also stressed on strengthening Industrial partnership with India. He said, “Today PM Modi and I agreed to promote cooperation for people, prosperity & peace in response to the fourth Industrial Revolution so as to create the emergence of future growth envisioned by cooperation in a vigorous manner.” During his address, Moon also invited PM Modi to South Korea in 2020.

The South Korean President arrived in India on Sunday for his first ever official state visit. Moon was given a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan by President Ram Nath Kovind and the Prime Minister on Tuesday morning. Moon also paid tribute to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 10, 2018 04:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).