Lee embarks on Indian summit to spur relations
Published: 22 Jan. 2010, 20:38
Lee Myung-bak
Following his India trip, Lee will travel to Davos, Switzerland, to attend the World Economic Forum as the state head of the Group of 20 summit chair nation.
Lee will have a summit with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday, the Blue House said. The two leaders are to make a joint statement on a vision for the two countries’ cooperative relationship.
A senior Blue House official said the summit will focus on how to effectively implement the bilateral free trade pact of comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which took effect on Jan. 1.
“During the second half of this year, we plan to establish a joint committee with trade ministers and an investment promotion committee by inviting finance ministers of the two nations,” he said.
The two sides will also sign a series of memorandums of understanding, including agreements on IT, science and space technology cooperation.
As a part of the efforts, the two countries will establish an IT-software cooperation foundation, and Seoul and Delhi will raise $5 million annually for its operation to broaden bilateral exchanges and collaboration.
India’s software and IT service industry and Korea’s hardware and IT infrastructure industries will be combined to bring about synergy, officials at the Blue House and the Knowledge Economy Ministry said.
“Throughout last year, Korea’s presidential diplomacy had focused on the New Asia Initiative,” the official said. “Lee visited the Southeast Asian nations as well as Central Asia. With his visit to India, Korea will be able to complete its New Asia network.”
The official also said Lee will try to find a path to enter India’s nuclear power plant market.
“Currently India has 17 reactors, with six under construction,” he said. “India’s Nuclear Power Corporation and Korea Electric Power Corporation are currently having working-level discussions, and Lee’s trip is intended to further tap this opportunity.”
Lee will also seek Indian leaders’ support for participation by Korean companies in other infrastructure projects in India. As chief guest, Lee will attend the parade and reception on India’s Republic Day on Tuesday.
The president will also meet with India’s senior leaders, including President Pratibha Patil and Sonia Gandhi, chairwoman of the ruling United Progressive Alliance.
On his way to Davos, Lee will stop in Zurich on Wednesday and meet with President Sepp Blatter of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to seek support for Korea’s bid to host the 2022 World Cup.
In Davos, Lee will give a special address on Thursday as the head of state of the G-20 chair country.
“This will be the first international event that Lee makes a debut as the leader of the G-20 host and chair country,” another Blue House official said. After his special address, titled “Seoul G-20 Summit: Priorities and Challenges” before world business leaders and heads of state, Lee will also participate in a discussion on reform of global governance.
On the sidelines of the forum, Lee will have bilateral summits with leaders of five countries - Switzerland, Spain, Jordan, Israel and Canada. He will also meet with world entrepreneurs. Microsoft founder Bill Gates, Google CEO Eric Schmidt and Cisco CEO John Chambers will meet with Lee.
By Ser Myo-ja [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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