North Korea pledges not to create security concerns for India

Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs General V.K. Singh (retired) became the first Indian minister to visit North Korea in 20 years as the latter pledged not to ever create concerns for India's security.

As per a release by the Ministry of External Affairs, Singh arrived in Pyongyang on Wednesday for a two-day visit to hold bilateral talks on the entire gamut of bilateral relations with his North Korean counterpart and various other high-level officials.

The MoS highlighted the threat posed to India from nuclear proliferation.

In response to that, North Korea emphasised that being a friendly country, it will never allow any actions that would create concerns for India's security.

Singh met a delegation including Kim Yong Dae, Vice President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho, Minister of Culture Pak Chun Nam and North Korea Vice Foreign Minister Choe Hui Chol.

North Korea also provided an overview of some of the recent development work in the Korean peninsula.

Further, Singh reiterated the on-going peace process between North-South Korea as he encouraged both the sides to establish peace and prosperity in the Korean peninsula.

India and North Korea also decided to explore possibilities of cooperation in areas of mutual interest including vocational education, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, promotion of Yoga and traditional medicines.

The two leaders also agreed on enhancing people-to-people relations in the field of education and culture.

Singh visited North Korea on the occasion of completion of 45 years of establishment of diplomatic relations with India.