Defence Minister Antony to visit South Korea today

New Delhi, Sep 2 (ANI): Defence Minister A K Antony will undertake a two-day visit to South Korea beginning on Thursday.

This is the first ever visit of an Indian Defence Minister to South Korea at the invitation of his counterpart Kim Tae-young.

The visit is part of India's Look East Policy and a wide range of issues including Defence Cooperation for peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and bilateral cooperation in Research and Development for manufacture of military equipment will figure prominently during the discussion between Antony and the top leadership of South Korea.

Antony's visit has been planned as a follow-up of the declaration issued by both countries during the State visit of the South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak to New Delhi in January, this year, when it was decided to elevate the bilateral relationship to a "strategic partnership".

It may be recalled that the foundation for India - South Korea defence relations was laid in 2005, when the two countries signed a MoU on Cooperation in Defence, Industry and Logistics.

Yet another MoU for Cooperation between the Coast Guards of the two countries was signed in March 2006.

Antony will be accompanied by a high-level delegation including the Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar, Vice Admiral RK Dhowan, Lt General KT Parnaik, Dr. Prahlada and Sundaram Krishna. (ANI)