New Delhi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day visit to South Korea, will be conferred upon the 2018 Seoul Peace Prize on Friday, February 22, 2019. Modi will receive the honour in recognition of his dedication to international cooperation, global growth and human development. Modi is visiting South Korea on the invitation of President Moon Jae-in and aims to strengthen India's strategic ties with the country, seeking to enhance bilateral cooperation in diverse areas, including trade and investment. This is his second visit to the Republic of Korea since 2015 and the second summit meeting with President Moon Jae-in.
Early in the day, while addressing the Indian diaspora in South Korea's Seoul, Modi thanked his countrymen for the Seoul Peace Prize Award 2018. "Tomorrow, I will be honoured with the Seoul Peace Prize. This prize is not mine, I will only be receiving it on behalf of 130 crore Indians and the 3 crore Indians living abroad. This prize is recognition of the hard work of all Indians," the prime minister was quoted as saying.
PM Modi addressing the Indian diaspora in Seoul: Tomorrow, I will be honoured with Seoul Peace Prize. This prize is not mine, I will only be receiving it on behalf of 130 crore Indians&the 3 crore Indians living abroad. This prize is a recognition of hard work of all Indians. pic.twitter.com/zYAj4ahZYM
— ANI (@ANI) February 21, 2019
In his departure statement, Modi on Wednesday described South Korea as an important partner for India's key initiatives such as 'Make in India', and said as fellow democracies the two nations share values and vision for regional and global peace. The prime minister added that his visit is reflective of the importance the two countries attach to their relationship.
As fellow market economies, our needs and strengths are complementary. South Korea is an important partner for our 'Make in India' initiative as well as in our 'Start-Up India' and 'Clean India' initiatives, Modi pointed out. He said collaboration between the two in the field of science and technology is encouraging, with joint research ranging from basic to advanced sciences.
"Our people to people ties and exchanges, as always, provide the bedrock of our ties of friendship. We were touched by President Moon's decision to send the First Lady as his special representative at the 'Deepotsav' Festival held in Ayodhya last November," Modi said.
The "growing depth and variety" in the relationship of the two countries has been accentuated by the harmony between New Delhi's Act East Policy and South Korea's New Southern Policy. "Working together, we are determined to take our relationship forward as a 'future-oriented partnership for People, Prosperity and Peace'," the prime minister said.
(With inputs from agencies)
