NEW DELHI, July 24 (Yonhap) -- Indian President Pratibha Patil said that her country's recent decision to offer food aid to North Korea was reached in consideration of the North's "grave" food security situation.
Patil said in an interview with Yonhap News Agency in New Delhi ahead of her trip to Seoul that India took a "well deliberated" decision to provide food to North Korea in accordance with its emergency food aid policy, indicating further food shipments to the North in the future.
"To ensure that the food assistance reaches its destination speedily and effectively, we cooperated with the World Food Program. ... I understand that Indian food assistance has reached the DPR Korea and is being distributed by the WFP," Patil said in the interview, using the abbreviation of North Korea's official name.
Patil was to arrive in South Korea on Sunday for a four-day state visit, including a summit with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on Monday.
The South Korea-India summit will focus on ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in all fields, including diplomacy, security, economy, trade and culture, Lee's office said.
As Washington and Seoul continue to mull the need to send humanitarian food aid to North Korea, India announced in March that it was making US$1 million available for distribution through the WFP, saying that the North's situation is sufficiently serious to warrant assistance.
On July 5, India's Ministry of External Affairs said that 900 tons of soya beans and 373 tons of wheat, which were bought with India's $1 million humanitarian aid, were offloaded at the North Korean port of Nampo.
Patil said that during her visit to Seoul, she aims to accelerate the momentum in bilateral relations stemming from last year's effectuation of a comprehensive economic partnership agreement.
"India and the Republic of Korea elevated bilateral ties to the level of a Strategic Partnership. The objective of my visit to the ROK is to accelerate the momentum in our relations," Patil said, using the full name and abbreviation of South Korea's official name.
While in South Korea, the Indian leader will also lay flowers before a bronze bust sculpture of Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore that was recently erected in central Seoul by the two countries to mark the 150th birth anniversary of the late poet.
The followings are questions and answers from the July 22 interview with Patil at the Indian Presidential Palace.
Question: What is the purpose of your trip to South Korea this time? Do you have any specific agenda you want to discuss with South Korean leaders?
Answer: Let me first convey my warm greetings to the people of the Republic of Korea, a friendly country with which India is linked by both bonds of culture and civilization. Buddhism is a common chord which resonates in both India and the Republic of Korea. Both our countries share common values of democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights. You will recall that H.E. President Lee Myung-bak visited India in January 2010 as the Chief Guest for our Republic Day celebrations. During his visit, India and Republic of Korea elevated bilateral ties to the level of a Strategic Partnership. The objective of my visit to the ROK is to accelerate the momentum in our relations. In Seoul, I look forward to holding discussions with President Lee in which we will cover the entire gamut of our bilateral relations as well as regional and global issues. I also look forward to meeting Speaker Park of the National Assembly of ROK.
Q: Nearly six decades ago, India, as a leader of the non-aligned bloc of countries, played an important role in bringing the Korean War to an end. Most recently, your country drew international attention by providing food aid to North Korea. Does your country have a further plan to give humanitarian aid to the North?
A: The Government of Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPR Korea) made a specific request of food assistance to the Government of India. In view of the grave food security situation in the DPR Korea, the Government of India took a well deliberated decision to provide food assistance to the DPR Korea in line with our policy on emergency food assistance. To ensure that the food assistance reaches its destination speedily and effectively, we cooperated with the World Food Program (WFP), which has an ongoing program in the DPR Korea. I understand that Indian food assistance has reached the DPR Korea and is being distributed by the WFP.
Q: India and South Korea have forged close ties in almost all areas. Now, your country is home to many big South Korean companies, including Samsung and LG. However, there have recently been some negative reports about Korean companies trying to expand their presence in India. One such report is about Orissa residents who oppose POSCO'S plan to build a steel plant near their village. Do you have an idea to resolve the problem?
A: The Government of India has given all clearances for the POSCO project and the State Government of Odisha is to acquire the land for the project. We are aware that they are facing some obstacles in doing so. The State Government of Odisha is dealing with the situation.
Q: Many agree that economic relations between India and South Korea are very good and are moving in the right direction. Do you have any plan to further develop them?
A: Our governments have already put in place an institutional framework and relevant mechanisms which have created a highly conducive environment for our businessmen and industrialists to operate and contribute to each other's economy. For instance, the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement that came into effect last year, was able to generate 40 percent growth in trade in the first year itself, with the bilateral trade having crossed US$17 billion. We are ready and willing to further upgrade our CEPA. During President Lee's visit to India, recognizing the potential for further expansion of the economic engagement between our two countries, we agreed to a trade target of $30 billion by 2014. I am confident that we would meet this target comfortably.
India is a large and growing market. Some of your companies such as LG, Samsung, Hyundai have been very successful in India. We invite greater investment from the ROK to our country. We would urge the Korean corporations to take full advantage of the extensive opportunities offered by the huge Indian market. On a similar note, Indian corporations are keen to take advantage of the opportunities in the ROK. India has a competitive advantage in areas such as pharmaceuticals and Information Technology. Our companies require greater access to the Korean market in these sectors. We also need more connectivity between our two countries which will encourage people-to-people contact, enhance interaction of commerce and business enterprises and generate prosperity for our peoples.
Q: The fast-developing Indian economy has become the object of envy of other countries. However, some note that hurdles also lie ahead for your country's economic development, especially the lack of proper infrastructure. Does your government have any plan to improve infrastructure?
A: India has made important strides in the recent years with an impressive rate of growth. At the same time we are alive to some of the constraints that we face particularly with respect to infrastructure. My government has taken many initiatives to develop India's infrastructure. We are looking at US$1 trillion investment in this field during our 12th Five Year Plan (2012-2017). I take this opportunity to invite Korean enterprise to participate in the development of India's infrastructure.
Q: India has often been a target of international terrorism, most recently in Mumbai. What is your government's plan to root it out?
A: First of all I would like to convey our gratitude for the message of support and condolence we have received from President Lee on behalf of the people and Government of Republic of Korea for the victims of the outrageous terror attack that took place in Mumbai on 13 July 2011. India is a victim of cross-border terrorism. I whole heartedly agree with President Lee's view that terrorism is a crime against humanity and has no justification whatsoever. India will continue to work with the Republic of Korea and other members of the international community to confront, combat and collectively defeat this crime against humanity.
Q: As a female president, do you have any advice, if any, for South Korean female politicians?
A: I am impressed with the rapid transformation of Korean society within a short period of time. This would not have been possible without the valuable contribution of Korean women. I would like to convey my tribute to the strength, resilience and dynamism of Korea's women. Korean women are already participating in a meaningful way in public life. I support a greater role for women in all fields.
(END)
Patil said in an interview with Yonhap News Agency in New Delhi ahead of her trip to Seoul that India took a "well deliberated" decision to provide food to North Korea in accordance with its emergency food aid policy, indicating further food shipments to the North in the future.
 |
| Indian President Pratibha Patil (Yonhap) |
"To ensure that the food assistance reaches its destination speedily and effectively, we cooperated with the World Food Program. ... I understand that Indian food assistance has reached the DPR Korea and is being distributed by the WFP," Patil said in the interview, using the abbreviation of North Korea's official name.
Patil was to arrive in South Korea on Sunday for a four-day state visit, including a summit with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on Monday.
The South Korea-India summit will focus on ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in all fields, including diplomacy, security, economy, trade and culture, Lee's office said.
 |
| India's presidential palace (Yonhap) |
As Washington and Seoul continue to mull the need to send humanitarian food aid to North Korea, India announced in March that it was making US$1 million available for distribution through the WFP, saying that the North's situation is sufficiently serious to warrant assistance.
On July 5, India's Ministry of External Affairs said that 900 tons of soya beans and 373 tons of wheat, which were bought with India's $1 million humanitarian aid, were offloaded at the North Korean port of Nampo.
Patil said that during her visit to Seoul, she aims to accelerate the momentum in bilateral relations stemming from last year's effectuation of a comprehensive economic partnership agreement.
"India and the Republic of Korea elevated bilateral ties to the level of a Strategic Partnership. The objective of my visit to the ROK is to accelerate the momentum in our relations," Patil said, using the full name and abbreviation of South Korea's official name.
While in South Korea, the Indian leader will also lay flowers before a bronze bust sculpture of Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore that was recently erected in central Seoul by the two countries to mark the 150th birth anniversary of the late poet.
The followings are questions and answers from the July 22 interview with Patil at the Indian Presidential Palace.
Question: What is the purpose of your trip to South Korea this time? Do you have any specific agenda you want to discuss with South Korean leaders?
Answer: Let me first convey my warm greetings to the people of the Republic of Korea, a friendly country with which India is linked by both bonds of culture and civilization. Buddhism is a common chord which resonates in both India and the Republic of Korea. Both our countries share common values of democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights. You will recall that H.E. President Lee Myung-bak visited India in January 2010 as the Chief Guest for our Republic Day celebrations. During his visit, India and Republic of Korea elevated bilateral ties to the level of a Strategic Partnership. The objective of my visit to the ROK is to accelerate the momentum in our relations. In Seoul, I look forward to holding discussions with President Lee in which we will cover the entire gamut of our bilateral relations as well as regional and global issues. I also look forward to meeting Speaker Park of the National Assembly of ROK.
Q: Nearly six decades ago, India, as a leader of the non-aligned bloc of countries, played an important role in bringing the Korean War to an end. Most recently, your country drew international attention by providing food aid to North Korea. Does your country have a further plan to give humanitarian aid to the North?
A: The Government of Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPR Korea) made a specific request of food assistance to the Government of India. In view of the grave food security situation in the DPR Korea, the Government of India took a well deliberated decision to provide food assistance to the DPR Korea in line with our policy on emergency food assistance. To ensure that the food assistance reaches its destination speedily and effectively, we cooperated with the World Food Program (WFP), which has an ongoing program in the DPR Korea. I understand that Indian food assistance has reached the DPR Korea and is being distributed by the WFP.
Q: India and South Korea have forged close ties in almost all areas. Now, your country is home to many big South Korean companies, including Samsung and LG. However, there have recently been some negative reports about Korean companies trying to expand their presence in India. One such report is about Orissa residents who oppose POSCO'S plan to build a steel plant near their village. Do you have an idea to resolve the problem?
A: The Government of India has given all clearances for the POSCO project and the State Government of Odisha is to acquire the land for the project. We are aware that they are facing some obstacles in doing so. The State Government of Odisha is dealing with the situation.
Q: Many agree that economic relations between India and South Korea are very good and are moving in the right direction. Do you have any plan to further develop them?
A: Our governments have already put in place an institutional framework and relevant mechanisms which have created a highly conducive environment for our businessmen and industrialists to operate and contribute to each other's economy. For instance, the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement that came into effect last year, was able to generate 40 percent growth in trade in the first year itself, with the bilateral trade having crossed US$17 billion. We are ready and willing to further upgrade our CEPA. During President Lee's visit to India, recognizing the potential for further expansion of the economic engagement between our two countries, we agreed to a trade target of $30 billion by 2014. I am confident that we would meet this target comfortably.
India is a large and growing market. Some of your companies such as LG, Samsung, Hyundai have been very successful in India. We invite greater investment from the ROK to our country. We would urge the Korean corporations to take full advantage of the extensive opportunities offered by the huge Indian market. On a similar note, Indian corporations are keen to take advantage of the opportunities in the ROK. India has a competitive advantage in areas such as pharmaceuticals and Information Technology. Our companies require greater access to the Korean market in these sectors. We also need more connectivity between our two countries which will encourage people-to-people contact, enhance interaction of commerce and business enterprises and generate prosperity for our peoples.
Q: The fast-developing Indian economy has become the object of envy of other countries. However, some note that hurdles also lie ahead for your country's economic development, especially the lack of proper infrastructure. Does your government have any plan to improve infrastructure?
A: India has made important strides in the recent years with an impressive rate of growth. At the same time we are alive to some of the constraints that we face particularly with respect to infrastructure. My government has taken many initiatives to develop India's infrastructure. We are looking at US$1 trillion investment in this field during our 12th Five Year Plan (2012-2017). I take this opportunity to invite Korean enterprise to participate in the development of India's infrastructure.
Q: India has often been a target of international terrorism, most recently in Mumbai. What is your government's plan to root it out?
A: First of all I would like to convey our gratitude for the message of support and condolence we have received from President Lee on behalf of the people and Government of Republic of Korea for the victims of the outrageous terror attack that took place in Mumbai on 13 July 2011. India is a victim of cross-border terrorism. I whole heartedly agree with President Lee's view that terrorism is a crime against humanity and has no justification whatsoever. India will continue to work with the Republic of Korea and other members of the international community to confront, combat and collectively defeat this crime against humanity.
Q: As a female president, do you have any advice, if any, for South Korean female politicians?
A: I am impressed with the rapid transformation of Korean society within a short period of time. This would not have been possible without the valuable contribution of Korean women. I would like to convey my tribute to the strength, resilience and dynamism of Korea's women. Korean women are already participating in a meaningful way in public life. I support a greater role for women in all fields.
(END)
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