South Korean President Lee Jae-myung will conduct his inaugural state visit to India from April 19-21, 2026. Accompanied by First Lady Kim Hye-kyung and a high-level business delegation, President Lee’s visit aims to elevate the “Special Strategic Partnership” into a robust industrial alliance. The summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi follows a foundational agreement signed in early April between India and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to modernize India’s maritime workforce.
Strategic industrial agenda
The visit prioritizes high-tech sectors where South Korean expertise aligns with India’s “Make in India” and “Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047”:
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Shipbuilding: Focus is on the co-production of LNG tankers and advanced marine engineering. South Korea is expected to support a new Shipbuilding Technology Cooperation Center in India to bridge the 25% global shortfall in skilled maritime labor.
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Semiconductors: Under India’s Semicon 2.0 mission, the leaders will discuss integrating South Korean fabrication technology into India’s growing ₹76,000 crore chip ecosystem.
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Critical Tech: Discussions will extend to AI, defense manufacturing, and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) for civil nuclear energy.
Why it matters
With a target of $50 billion in bilateral trade by 2030, both nations are seeking to “de-risk” supply chains amid the 2026 Middle East tensions and the “Hormuz Shock.” For India, the visit is a gateway to becoming a global shipbuilding and semiconductor hub. For Seoul, India represents a vital, stable market for high-tier technology exports as global trade dynamics shift.