President Lee Jae-myung returned home on April 24 after a six-day trip to India and Vietnam. He focused on expanding cooperation in energy and supply chains amid Middle East uncertainties during summits with the countries' leaders. Agreements aimed at doubling trade volumes and deepening strategic ties were reached.
President Lee Jae-myung returned to Seoul on Friday, April 24, wrapping up a six-day trip to India and Vietnam. The visits emphasized strategic cooperation in energy and supply chains to counter uncertainties from the Middle East conflict, including the ongoing U.S.-Iran war disrupting the Strait of Hormuz.
In New Delhi, Lee held a summit with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, agreeing to boost economic ties in critical minerals, energy, artificial intelligence, finance, and shipbuilding. The two sides pledged to accelerate talks on upgrading their Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement to double bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030 from $25 billion currently. Fifteen memorandums of understanding were signed, including groundwork for a joint shipyard.
In Hanoi, Lee met Vietnam's top leader To Lam—the first foreign leader to visit since Lam's recent election as president—and agreed to closer cooperation in energy, infrastructure, technology, and supply chains. Trade expansion to $150 billion by 2030 from $94.6 billion last year was reaffirmed, with 12 MOUs signed. Korea Electric Power Corporation and Vietnam's National Industry-Energy Group inked deals for nuclear power feasibility studies and financing.
Lee and Lam, with their spouses, toured Hanoi's Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, a UNESCO site, to build rapport. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said the trip laid groundwork for deeper engagement with the Global South.
