India extends medical assistance worth about USD 1 million to North Korea

India has extended medical assistance worth about USD 1 million to North Korea in response to a request received from the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Ministry of External Affairs. In light of this information, the Indian government has decided to provide US $ 01 million of humanitarian aid to North Korea as anti-tuberculosis drugs. The Foreign Ministry also stated that this medical aid is under the aegis of the anti-tuberculosis program of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea.

India and North Korea Relations: Background

• India and North Korea have maintained growing trade and diplomatic relations. India has an embassy in Pyongyang (the capital of North Korea), while North Korea also has an embassy in New Delhi.
• India has also been North Korea’s major food aid provider and its largest trade partner. According to the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), India’s exports to North Korea totaled more than US $ 60 million in 2013.
• On a diplomatic front, India has always mentioned that, any peaceful settlement between North and South Korea will be strongly supported by India and it seeks the reunification of Korea.

UPSC