▲ President Lee Jae Myung (L, front) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R, front) head to Rashtrapati Bhavan ahead of their summit talks in New Delhi, India, on April 20, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
▲ President Lee Jae Myung (L) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pose for a photo ahead of their summit talks in New Delhi, India, on April 20, 2026. (Yonhap)

(LEAD) Lee-India-summit

(LEAD) Lee holds summit with Indian PM Modi on economic ties, supply chains

(ATTN: UPDATES with latest details throughout; CHANGES headline, lead, photos)

By Kim Eun-jung

NEW DELHI, April 20 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung held summit talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, focusing on deepening economic ties and strengthening the countries' strategic partnership amid the war in the Middle East.

The two leaders were earlier expected to discuss ways to bolster cooperation in artificial intelligence, defense, and the shipping and shipbuilding industries, while expanding the scope of bilateral manufacturing cooperation beyond electronics and vehicles.

They also likely discussed enhancing coordination on global supply chains and energy security as their countries, both heavily reliant on imported energy, grapple with the fallout from the war between the United States and Iran.

In an interview with The Times of India published earlier in the day, Lee stressed the need for South Korea and India to work together to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for oil and natural gas, and make joint efforts to stabilize global supply chains.

It marked their third in-person meeting since Lee took office in June 2025.

Ahead of the summit, Lee paid tribute at Raj Ghat, a memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, and planted a commemorative tree with Modi at Hyderabad House.

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