Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday thanked South Korean President Moon Jae-in for the latter’s support to the International Yoga Day 2018 and expressed hope that yoga will bring peace and happiness in the lives of Koreans.
“Dear Mr. Moon Jae-in, Thank you for your support of # IDY2018. I hope that many people in Korea will share happiness and peace with yoga,” wrote the PM in Hangul (Korean script) on Twitter.
He said that he was expecting to discuss ways to deepen bilateral ties with “strategic partner” South Korea when President Moon visits India.
친애하는 문재인 대통령님, #IDY2018을 함께 성원해 주셔서 감사합니다. 한국의 많은 분들께도 요가가 선사하는 행복과 평화가 전해지기를 바랍니다.
문재인 대통령님을 인도에서 만나 뵙기를 바라며, 특별 전략적 동반자 관계인 한국과 평화와 진전, 번영을 향해 함께 나아가기를 기대합니다. https://t.co/GNlmuxbkAs
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 21, 2018
On Thursday, Moon congratulated PM Modi for the latter’s efforts to make yoga a global phenomenon. In a series of tweets, the South Korean leader recognised India as the home of yoga and said that PM Modi had requested for his participation in the International Day of Yoga.
“Today marks the International Day of Yoga as designated by the United Nations. It is a day of global celebrations for all those who love yoga. I received a letter from Prime Minister Modi of India, the home of yoga, asking me to join in the celebrations. @narendramodi,” said Moon.
Underlining the role played by yoga in ensuring that people stay healthy, Moon extended his greetings to both the Indian PM and the people of India.
“I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to Prime Minister Modi and the Indian people. As a means of seeking harmony between nature and man as well as between body and mind, yoga is widely loved in Korea also,” he wrote.
“Last Sunday, many people gathered at Gwanghwamun Plaza in Seoul to celebrate the International Day of Yoga. In line with the aspirations embodied by yoga, I hope that happiness and peace spread all around the world,” said the 65-year-old Moon.
The South Korean leader is scheduled to visit India in the first week of July. The date has not been finalised yet.