South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday for bilateral summit talks centred on deepening economic cooperation and strengthening the two countries' strategic partnership at a moment of significant global uncertainty.
The summit, held at Hyderabad House in the Indian capital, focused on expanding cooperation in artificial intelligence, defence, and the shipbuilding and shipping industries, while broadening bilateral manufacturing collaboration beyond its current concentration in electronics and vehicles. Both leaders also addressed the pressing issue of global supply chain stability and energy security — areas of acute concern for two nations that are heavily dependent on imported energy.
A key backdrop to the talks is the ongoing war between the United States and Iran, which has raised fears over disruptions to critical maritime routes. In an interview published on the day of the summit, President Lee emphasised the importance of joint efforts between Seoul and New Delhi to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz — the narrow waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman through which a significant share of the world's oil and natural gas flows — and to help stabilise global supply chains more broadly.
The visit began with ceremonial formalities at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of India's President, where President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi received Lee and his wife, First Lady Kim Hea Kyung. Lee also paid tribute at Raj Ghat, the memorial in New Delhi dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, and planted a commemorative tree alongside Modi ahead of their formal discussions.
This was the third in-person meeting between Lee and Modi since Lee assumed the South Korean presidency in June 2025, reflecting the growing momentum in ties between Asia's third- and fifth-largest economies. The summit signals both countries' intent to position their partnership as a stabilising force amid shifting global trade dynamics and regional instability.