PM Modi Conferred With Seoul Peace Prize in South Korea

Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to New Delhi from Seoul, South Korea on Friday, 22 February. He was conferred with the Seoul Peace Prize during his two-day visit. The award was first announced by the Seoul Peace Prize Cultural Foundation in October last year.

Modi, who arrived on a two-day visit to South Korea to strengthen India's strategic ties with the country, had earlier addressed a gathering in the capital city of Seoul.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached South Korea on a two-day visit. This is his second visit to the country.

(With inputs from ANI, PTI.)

The prime minister will receive the Seoul Peace Prize during his stay in South Korea.

MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said the visit would strengthen India's special strategic partnership with South Korea and add dynamism to the Look East Policy.

"Continuing the momentum of high-level exchanges. PM @narendramodi emplanes for Seoul on a 2-day State Visit to the Republic of Korea," he tweeted.

Ahead of his visit, the prime minister 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, reported PTI.

In his departure statement, he said his visit is reflective of the importance "we both attach to our relationship".

"We regard the Republic of Korea as a valued friend, a nation with which we have a Special Strategic Partnership. As fellow democracies, India and the ROK have shared values and a shared vision for regional and global peace," the prime minister said.

"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 said.

The prime minister met people from the Indian community in Seoul, the capital city of South Korea.

Speaking at the India - Korea Business Symposium at Seoul, the prime minister said that India has emerged as a land of opportunities. “While we work towards realising the Indian dream, we seek like minded partners, we see South Korea as a truly natural partner,” news agency ANI quoted him as saying.

Delivering keynote address at India-Korea Business Symposium, Modi said, “While we work for realizing the ‘Indian Dream’, we seek like-minded partners. And, among them, we see South Korea as a truly natural partner”.

Speaking at a ceremony for unveiling a bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, PM Modi said that he was mankind’s biggest gift in the 19th century. “Climate change and terrorism are the biggest threats for humanity. Gandhi's life and work has solutions for this problem,” he said.

If we look at Gandhi's message of achieving our goals through non-violence and winning hearts, we will find our path to combat terrorism, PM Modi said.

Prime Minister Modi unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea

PM Modi on said India is on the way to becoming a USD 5 trillion economy soon and hoped that the country would be among the world's top three economies in the next 15 years.

Addressing the Indian diaspora, the prime minister recounted several steps taken by his government in recent years, including several new initiatives like the Goods and Services Tax (GST), MUDRA initiative, to take India on a forward trajectory.

He added that India is the world's fastest-growing major economy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his tribute at the Seoul National Cemetery on the second day of a two-day visit to South Korea, reported ANI.

The prime minister laid a wreath at the site that entombs remains of 1,65,000 martyrs and paid homage to the fallen soldier

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accorded ceremonial reception at Blue House, the executive office and official residence of South Korean head of state in Seoul. He was received by South Korean President Moon Jae-in and first lady Kim Jung-sook

Addressing the media in South Korea, PM Modi said, “I express my gratitude to President Moon for his condolences on Pulwama Attack and support against terror. MoU signed between the two countries today will further take forward our counter-terrorism agenda.”

“The time has come for the global community to act beyond talks at this moment and to unite and fight against terrorism,” he added.

“Defence sector is an important part of our growing partnership with South Korea. An example of this is the induction of K-9 Vajra artillery gun in Indian Army,” Modi said in South Korea.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued his press statement after delegation level talks with Korean President Moon Jae-in. The external affairs ministry said that the two held talks on enhancing co-operation in trade and investment, defence and security, energy, space, start-Ups and people-to-people exchanges.

Read the full press statement here.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his gratitude to South Korea’s First lady Kim Jung-sook for participating in the ‘Dipofestival’ in held in Prayagraj last year.

“Last year, First Lady Kim participated as the chief guest at the 'Dipofestival' held in Ayodhya, which was a subject of respect for us. The journey had shed a new light on our cultural relationships of thousands of years, and created an atmosphere of eagerness and awareness in the new generation,” Modi said.

Seven documents were signed/exchanged between India and South Korea in the presence of PM Narendra Modi and President Moon Jae-in, including on cooperation in media, start-ups and police among others.

Read the full list of MoUs signed here.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Friday, 22 February, conferred with the Seoul Peace Prize during his two-day visit to South Korea. The award was first announced by the Seoul Peace Prize Cultural Foundation in October last year.

“I am honoured that this award is being conferred on me in the year that we celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi,” Modi said at the award ceremony.

Former Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are among previous recipients of the award.

He will receive a commemorative plaque, honorarium of $200,000, CNN-News18 reported.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he will contribute the entire $200,000 Prize amount received as honorarium along with the Seoul Peace Prize towards the Namami Gange Mission, a central government scheme to clean the Ganges.

“This award does not belong to me personally but to the people of India, the success India has achieved in the last 5 years, powered by the skill of 1.3 billion people,” Modi said.

“The success that India has achieved in the last five years is due to aspirations, inspiration and efforts of the people of India,” he added.

“The time has come for all right-thinking nations to join hands to completely eradicate terrorist networks. Only by doing so, can we replace hate with harmony,” PM Modi said.

Ending his speech, Modi quoted a portion of the 1988 Olympics theme song, because “it perfectly captures the hopeful spirit for a better tomorrow for all of us”.

“Hand in hand, we stand... All across the land... We can make this world, a better place in which to live,” he said.

The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday, 22 February, said that the bilateral trade between India and South Korea stands at $21 billion and added that the target for 2030 has been set at $50 billion.

“There was an exchange of views between PM Modi and South Korean President Moon Jae-in on global and regional situations. President Moon strongly condemned the Pulwama attack as a terrorist attack,” Vijay Thakur Singh, Secretary (East) MEA, said, as per ANI.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday left for India after wrapping up his two-day visit to South Korea during which he held talks with the country's President Moon Jae-in, unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi and addressed the Indian diaspora.

Prime Minister Modi, who arrived here on a two-day visit to strengthen India's strategic ties with South Korea on Thursday, held "constructive" talks with President Moon on enhancing cooperation in trade and investment, defence and security, energy, space, start-ups and people-to-people exchanges, PTI reported.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Delhi after a two-day visit to Seoul, South Korea.