1. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Choi Jong Kun met with Ambassador of the Republic of India to the Republic of Korea Sripriya Ranganathan on the morning of October 12 and extensively exchanged views on the ROK-India relations, COVID-19 response and regional affairs.

2. The two sides noted with appreciation that the ROK and India, special strategic partners, have maintained friendly and cooperative relations at the highest level, particularly based on the special friendship and trust between the leaders of the two countries, and agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation through close cooperation even amid the COVID-19 situation.

° The two sides shared the understanding that the ROK and India should further step up cooperation in such areas as high-level exchanges and the defense industry.

3. The two sides agreed to continue non-face-to-face communication in response to COVID-19, including through virtual meetings and telephone conversations, and to explore ways to resume high-level exchanges, including the Foreign Ministerial Joint Committee Meeting and the Foreign and Defense Ministers’ (2+2) Meeting, as the COVID-19 situation permits.

4. The two sides also exchanged views on the recent developments in the region and agreed to continue close communication and cooperation between the two countries that share understanding on regional issues.

5. Vice Minister Cho mentioned that Minister for Trade Yoo Myung-hee had advanced to the final round of the selection process for the next Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and asked for support of the Indian government.