India would like more Korean investment in infrastructure:President Pranab Mukherjee

NEW DELHI: With economic exchanges being the bedrock of the strategic partnership with South Korea, President Pranab Mukherjee has said India looks forward to seeing more Korean investment in its physical infrastructure.

The President, who met his Korean counterpart Park Geun-Hye and hosted a banquet in her honour last evening, said there is increasing commonality of views between India and South Korea on many regional and international issues based on converging national interests of both countries.

"Economic exchanges are the bedrock of the strategic partnership between India and the Korea. India looks forward to working with the Korea to enhance trade and investment between two countries. India would like to see more Korean investment in India's physical infrastructure," Mukherjee was quoted as saying by an official spokesperson here today.

He said India viewed Korea as one of the most progressive nations in modern times. "The industrious people of the Korea have been able to overcome all odds and rise from the devastation of war to realise their impressive economic potential.

"Today Korea is the fourth largest economy in Asia. As a friend and partner, India wishes the people of Korea every success in their endeavours to achieve a second economic 'Miracle on the River Han'," he said.

The President said leading Korean companies have become household names in India and similarly, Indian companies and banks are investing and establishing themselves with good results in the Korea.

He said India valued presence and progress of Korean enterprises in India and is also glad to see the recent expansion in cultural, academic and other people-to-people exchanges between two countries.

"India looks forward to intensifying joint efforts to build on mutual goodwill and growing synergies to further strengthen relationship between India and Korea," Mukherjee said.