The President Lee Myung‐bak and First Lady Kim Yoon‐ok embark on their first overseas trip this year to India and Switzerland from Jan 24 to 30, according to the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae.

On the first day (Jan 25) of his state visit to India, The President will have a summit meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and will search for ways to enhance their bilateral collaboration in various fields including foreign affairs, the economy and commerce, as well as science and technology, which will culminate in a joint statement to be announced at the end.

On the sidelines of the Korea‐India summit there will be the signing of an MOU on the transfer of prisoners, cooperation in the IT sector, scientific and technological collaboration, and the peaceful use of outer space.

The next day (Jan 26), The President will take part in the ceremony of the Republic Day as chief guest and attend other major events including a parade and a reception.

The President also plans to meet with President of the Republic of India Pratibha Devisingh Patil, Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari, the ruling Indian Congress Party Leader Sonia Gandhi and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sushma Swaraj.

He will meet officials from Korean companies stationed in India, attend a luncheon with business leaders from both countries and spend time with Korean emigrants and their descendents.

Cheong Wa Dae commented that the presidential visit to India has a significant implication since it is expected to expedite the government''s policy of “New Asia Diplomacy,” which has been a focus since last year, and will work as the first step to broaden the horizons of the administration''s summit diplomacy in the new year.

The President''s trip to the sub‐continent is all the more meaningful for bilateral relations between the two sides, since it coincides with the Republic of India''s 60th anniversary (Jan 26) and Lee has been invited as the chief guest to the main event, Cheong Wa Dae said.

Also, it is Lee''s first visit to India since the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two countries took effect on Jan 1. Korea''s trade with India, with the world''s second largest population (1.2 billion) and fourth biggest purchasing power, is highly expected to grow following Lee''s state visit, added the office.

From Jan 27 to 29, President Lee will be visiting Switzerland to participate in the 40th World Economic Forum in Davos.

As a starter, The President is scheduled to visit the world football headquarters of FIFA to meet with its president Sepp Blatter on Jan. 27.

At the Davos Forum scheduled the next day (Jan 28), The President will deliver a special address in which he will introduce the Korean government''s overall plans to host the November G20 meeting in Seoul and emphasize the G20 Summit''s heightened role in the post‐crisis world economy, environment‐friendly industrial development, and entrepreneurship needed for green growth.

At the venue The President will meet with world‐renowned figures including Bill Gates, Google CEO Eric Schmidt, and World Economic Forum Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab, as well as have a summit meeting with President of the Swiss Confederation Doris Leuthard.

In the evening, a "Korean Night" will be hosted by the Federation of Korean Industries, and The President plans to promote aspects of Korean culture, including Hansik and Hallyu (Korean Wave).

On the last day (Jan 29), the President will have a breakfast meeting with entrepreneurs and journalists participating in the Davos forum. Separately, he will make key note speeches along with the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki‐moon at the informal gathering of World Economic Leaders, which will be attended by 80 high‐ranking officials, including heads of state and international organizations.

The President’s attendance at the WEF is expected to enhance Korea''s national standing as host of the 2010 G20 Summit and also drum up support for the idea of making the summit a “premier forum” where all major discussions on worldwide economic cooperation will take place, Cheong Wa Dae said.

The office added that the Korean government''s green growth strategy and development cooperation schemes for developing countries will be highly promoted at the forum, thereby helping improve Korea''s national branding as a mature state.