South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s India Visit: AI, Semiconductors, Energy Security on Agenda – First State Visit in 8 Years
By Suthar Jayprakash
NEW DELHI – South Korean President Lee Jae-myung will arrive in India on Sunday, April 19, for a three-day state visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This marks the first state visit by a South Korean president in eight years, and is being seen as a landmark event in bilateral ties. President Lee will be accompanied by First Lady Kim Hee-kyung, along with a high-level delegation of ministers, senior officials, and top business leaders.
Agenda: Shipbuilding, AI, Semiconductors, and a $50 Billion Trade Target
Economic relations between the two nations have strengthened steadily since the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was signed in 2010. The current visit aims to deepen the “Special Strategic Partnership.”
Trade Target: Bilateral trade stood at $25.1 billion in 2024. Both countries have now set a goal to double it to $50 billion by 2030.
Key Sectors: Discussions will focus on shipbuilding, defense, artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and critical & emerging technologies.
Energy Security: Amid the ongoing Middle East crisis, South Korea – which imports 70-80% of its oil from the Gulf region – seeks to enhance cooperation in energy supply chains. India, which has maintained diplomatic channels with Iran, is seen as a key partner in this regard.
Shipbuilding: South Korea, one of the world’s leading shipbuilders, may offer technical partnership for India’s National Shipbuilding Mission. Concrete agreements on joint ventures and technology transfer are expected during the visit.
Preparations: ‘Change of Guard’ Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cancelled
In preparation for President Lee’s grand welcome, the weekly ‘Change of Guard’ ceremony scheduled for Saturday, April 18, at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan has been cancelled. Rashtrapati Bhavan stated that the decision was taken due to rehearsals for the state welcome ceremony. This grand military tradition is held every Saturday morning but will not take place this time due to the special occasion.
Business Summit: Top Industry Leaders to Attend
President Lee will hold extensive talks with Prime Minister Modi on Monday, April 20. He will also participate in a bilateral business forum in New Delhi, which will include top industry captains and economic officials from both countries. Several important Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed, opening a new chapter in economic cooperation.
Itinerary at a Glance (April 19-21)
April 19 (Sunday): Arrival in New Delhi. Meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, followed by dinner with Korean nationals residing in India.
April 20 (Monday): Ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Visit to Raj Ghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. Delegation-level talks with PM Modi and joint press statement. Lunch hosted by PM Modi. Participation in bilateral business forum. State banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu.
April 21 (Tuesday): Departure for Vietnam.
Conclusion
President Lee Jae-myung’s visit represents a historic opportunity for India-South Korea relations. It is not merely a ceremonial trip but a diplomatic move that has the potential to elevate partnership in critical areas such as defense, technology, and energy security to new heights. This first state visit in eight years symbolizes a strong and strategic alignment between the two democracies in a rapidly changing global landscape.
Disclaimer: This blog post is based on information from various news agencies and official sources as of April 17, 2026.
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The information provided on this report — "South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s India Visit: AI, Semiconductors, Energy Security on Agenda – First State Visit in 8 Years" — has been strictly verified for accuracy by our content desk in Surat. Our editorial team follows a double-check protocol to ensure that all data regarding World News is authentic and current as of Apr 17, 2026. Read full Policy
Suthar Jayprakash
Suthar Jayprakash is a seasoned digital journalist and news analyst with over 3+ years of experience in content creation. He leads the editorial desk at Global Info, specializing in Business, Tech, and Global Events analysis. Based in Surat, Suthar Jayprakash is committed to bringing human-first, factual reporting to a global audience.
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