If Buddhism spread from India to Korea and Mongolia many centuries ago, as the president aptly termed it in a statement to the media on-board the special Air India aircraft, this has what qualified the former to be seen as a “spiritual neighbour” of these countries.
Pratibha, along with a large entourage from Delhi reached the Seoul Air Base here was given a red-carpet welcome by Min Dong-seok, RoK’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade and top officials. A ceremonial welcome to the visiting dignitary by Korean folk musicians added to the evening’s charm.
Pratibha Patil is accompanied by her husband Devisingh Ramsingh Shekhawat, Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Mahadeo Singh Khandela and senior officials.
Her itinerary is filled with signing several agreements and meeting various business delegations in both Korea and Mongolia where she will visit on July 27 to strengthen mutual relations.
In her discussions with the South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak, the president will cover the entire gamut of bilateral relations as well as regional and global issues.
She will also discuss the proposed civil-nuclear agreement between India and South Korea. In Mongolia, the president will hold talks with her Mongolian counterpart Elbegdorj on all issues of importance.
Referring to two major human resources development initiatives by India in training and human empowerment through Rajiv Gandhi Art and Production School for Vocational Education in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar, and A B Vajpayee Centre of Excellence in Information and Communication Technology, Prathibha Patil said India was committed to assisting Mongolia in capacity building in these fields.
The president said she would explore with her counterparts of both these countries the prospects of increasing the number of direct air flights between the three countries as it was important to promote more people-to-people exchanges.
“I am confident that my visit to the Republic of Korea and Mongolia will further enhance the close partnership that exists between India and these countries,” she added.