South Korea working with India to secure Hormuz: President Lee Jae Myung

During his state visit to India, President Lee highlighted Korea and India's need to work closely as emerging global leaders amid geopolitical uncertainty, and to pursue a new direction for multilateralism. He backed Make in India Together with Korea and urged upgrading the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). He called for expanded cooperation into shipbuilding, finance, and the defense industry, and for increased collaboration in AI and digital technologies. On the Strait of Hormuz, he said Korea will maintain close communication with India to ensure safe and free navigation and will work together in relevant international forums to uphold this commitment, while diversifying energy supply chains to reduce dependence on any single country. The defense partnership was noted as strengthened by K-9 Vajra co-production, with plans to continue joint technology development and coproduction as well as operations and maintenance. He also emphasized cooperation in critical energy transition minerals and the maritime sector, including shipbuilding, and stressed that Korea supports India's Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative as a key partner in its realization.

Lee Jae Myung stated that his first meeting with Prime Minister Modi occurred in Canada in June 2025, describing warmth and familiarity that reinforced their friendship and shared commitment to people-centered politics.

The second phase of the K9 Vajra howitzer project was signed in April 2025, establishing a framework for defense collaboration with more than 60 percent of the manufacturing to be carried out in India, and signaling closer joint technology development and coproduction.