President Lee Jae Myung (left) and first lady Kim Hea Kyung on March 3 greet onlookers after arriving at Villamor Air Base in the Philippines. (Cheong Wa Dae)

By Hong Angie

President Lee Jae Myung from April 19-24 will pay state visits to India and Vietnam.

National Security Office Director Wi Sung-lac on April 16 announced the president's itinerary in a briefing at the media center Chunchugwan in Cheong Wa Dae.

President Lee will first visit the Indian capital of New Delhi from April 19-21 at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

On the first day of his trip, the president will hold talks with Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and attend a dinner with Korean expats in India.

The following day, the president will attend a welcoming ceremony and wreath-laying event at Raj Ghat, a memorial to the civil rights leader Mahatma Gandhi, followed by a small group summit, extended talks, ceremony for signing a memorandum of understanding, joint news conference and luncheon hosted by Prime Minister Modi.

President Lee will later attend a bilateral business forum and meet leading economic officials from both countries, and conclude his trip with a banquet hosted by Indian President Droupadi Murmu.

"This state visit will offer the opportunity to comprehensively strengthen the special strategic partnership between both sides and present a vision to expand mutually beneficial and strategic cooperation," Director Wi said.

"We will search for new joint projects in key sectors such as shipbuilding and marine industries, finance, artificial intelligence and defense to open a new chapter in economic cooperation."

After concluding his schedule in India, President Lee will fly to Hanoi, Vietnam, on April 21 for a three-night state visit.

On April 22, he will attend a luncheon with Korean expats in Vietnam, followed by a summit with Vietnamese President To Lam. After their talks, both leaders will attend a signing ceremony for a memorandum of understanding, release a joint news statement and attend a state banquet.

Director Wi said, "The two leaders are expected to discuss in depth practical measures to bolster strategic and mutually beneficial cooperation amid global uncertainty."

shong9412@korea.kr