President Moon talks with Prime Minister Modi "Mourning COVID-19 deaths in India... People come first"

President Moon Jae-in is having a phone call with Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, at the Yeomin Building of the Blue House on the afternoon of the 9th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] On the 9th, President Moon Jae-in had a phone call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and expressed his condolences and sympathy regarding the recent increase in confirmed cases and deaths from the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in India. He said, "I hope the strong measures taken by the Indian government will quickly bring COVID-19 under control."

Kang Min-seok, the Blue House spokesperson, said in a written briefing that afternoon, "We highly appreciate Prime Minister Modi's leadership in promoting solidarity and cooperation not only domestically but also among South Asian regional countries." The call between the two leaders lasted 35 minutes starting at 4 p.m.

President Moon said, "The Prime Minister also stated at the G20 virtual summit that 'people must be prioritized to overcome the COVID-19 crisis, and the benefits of medical research and development should be freely shared,' and I fully agree with that statement."

He added, "I hope urgent mutual visits by businesspeople will be allowed so that essential exchanges and cooperation with India, a key partner of the New Southern Policy, can continue." He also expressed gratitude for the assistance in enabling temporary flights for the safe return of Korean nationals residing in India and requested continued cooperation.

A certain amount of diagnostic kits has arrived in India through cooperation with Korean companies. President Moon said, "We will continue to share our quarantine, treatment experiences, and clinical information with India, and if there is additional cooperation demand from India, such as diagnostic kits, we will actively consider ways to assist."

President Moon said, "I heard that, at the Prime Minister's suggestion to overcome the darkness of COVID-19, all Indian people turned off their lights and lit candles for nine minutes at 9 p.m. last Sunday (April 5), showing their determination to overcome COVID-19." He added, "Let us wisely overcome COVID-19 together and further mature the special strategic partnership between Korea and India." Spokesperson Kang explained that the number '9' is the most favored number among Indians.

In response, Prime Minister Modi said, "I understand President Moon's concern for his people," and "We will always cooperate for the safety of the Korean people." He emphasized, "Just as the world changed before and after World War II, things will be different before and after the COVID-19 crisis," and "From now on, people must be at the center of all policies and strategies."

Regarding Korea's response to the COVID-19 situation, he said, "I know that Korea is managing the crisis well in response to COVID-19, and I am aware that the world is praising Korea's science and technology-based response."