In a first, DPRK Foreign Minister on India visit

India has agreed to positively consider North Korea's request for additional humanitarian assistance.

April 13, 2015 07:10 pm | Updated November 16, 2021 05:10 pm IST - NEW DELHI:

External Affiars Minister Sushma Swaraj  with Foreign Minister of  Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Ri Su Yongin ahead of talks in New Delhi on Monday. Photo: Shanker Chakravarty

External Affiars Minister Sushma Swaraj with Foreign Minister of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Ri Su Yongin ahead of talks in New Delhi on Monday. Photo: Shanker Chakravarty

In a significant diplomatic engagement between India and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), the Foreign Minister Ri Su Yong met his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj on Monday. This is the first ever visit at the Foreign Minister level from North Korea to India. Mr. Yong is here on a three day visit beginning Sunday on the invitation of Ms. Swaraj.

“EAM conveyed to her Korean counterpart the significance of peace and stability in the Korean peninsula for India’s Act East policy,” External Affairs Ministry said in a statement. 

Officials said that the visiting Minister updated the Indian side on his country’s nuclear programme which has resulted in deep apprehensions in the international community.

India had on several occasions in the past extended humanitarian assistance to DPRK, which is under severe sanctions by the UN and global community, and in 2011 provided food assistance worth USD one million through the World Food Programme. DPRK has also been battered by natural calamities resulting in severe food shortages.

Mr. Yong while expressing his country’s appreciation for the humanitarian assistance sought additional assistance from India. Ms. Swaraj agreed to positively consider DPRK’s request, officials said.

The timing of the visit is significant as it comes just ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to China and South Korea which share a curious relationship with DPRK. While China has considerable influence, South Korea is a rival. 

In addition to Ms. Swaraj, Mr. Yong also called on Vice President Hamid Ansari.

 

Top News Today

Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.