Singh concludes first visit by Indian minister to North Korea in 20 years

NEW DELHI: Minister of state for external affairs VK Singh on Wednesday concluded a two-day visit to North Korea where he held discussions on issues covering political, regional, economic, educational and cultural cooperation between the two countries.

The external affairs ministry in a statement said Singh held talks with vice president of the presidium of the supreme people’s assembly of North Korea Kim Yong Dae, foreign minister Ri Yong Ho, minister of culture Pak Chun Nam and vice foreign minister Choe Hui Chol.

This is the first ministeriallevel visit from India to Pyongyang since 1998 and the first by a minister from the Indian foreign ministry since two sides established diplomatic ties in 1973.

The visit comes ahead of the proposed June 12 summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Singh’s visit is seen as an India’s effort to reach out to Pyongyang. On Tuesday, new Indian ambassador Atul Gotsurve submitted his credentials to North Korean authorities.

The MOS reiterated India’s support to the recent North and South Korean peace initiatives and encouraged both sides for their efforts towards establishment of peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula, the statement said.

Singh also conveyed New Delhi’s concern over nuclear proliferation. “The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea emphasised that as a friendly country it will never allow any action that would create concerns for India’s security”, the statement said.

The two sides decided to explore possibilities of cooperation in areas of mutual interest including vocational education, agriculture and pharmaceuticals.