President Lee Jae Myung and first lady Kim Hea Kyung on April 19 talk to a gathering of Korean expats in New Delhi as the first event of his state visit to India. (Cheong Wa Dae)

By Kang Gahui

President Lee Jae Myung, on a state visit to India, on April 19 attended a gathering of Korean expats in New Delhi, saying, "Korea and India will become the most important strategic partners to each other as unstable supply chains and global economic uncertainty triggered by the war in the Middle East become a constant reality."

At a hotel in the Indian capital, he added, "With my summit talks tomorrow (with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi) as a turning point, there is high potential for bilateral ties to develop into a totally different level."

"India has surpassed China in population and is the world's No. 4 economy, but will soon take third place," he added, calling India "a key country leading global output and supply chains, not just the consumption market."

"India has major room for cooperation with Korea given that India, like Korea, is highly dependent on overseas sources for a large proportion of its raw materials and energy."

Urging Korean residents and expats in India to serve as private diplomats, President Lee said, "My administration will offer sufficient support so that our companies and compatriots can display their capabilities in a more stable environment."

He was scheduled on April 20 to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi followed by a welcoming luncheon.

kgh89@korea.kr