SYLLABUS
GS-2: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Context: Recently, the President of South Korea paid a State Visit to India from April 19–21, 2026, resulting in the adoption of a Joint Strategic Vision (2026–2030) to strengthen the India–ROK Special Strategic Partnership.
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• The visit aimed to strengthen the Special Strategic Partnership between the two countries across multiple sectors.
• Discussions focused on key areas such as trade, investments, shipbuilding, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies.
• Both countries also exchanged views on regional and global issues, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, highlighting their shared vision for peace and stability.
• The visit reflects the growing importance of India–South Korea relations in the context of global economic shifts and geopolitical tensions.
Key Outcomes of the Visit
• Strategic & Institutional Outcomes: Adoption of a Joint Strategic Vision to transform ties into a “futuristic partnership.”
- Adoption of a Joint Strategic Vision to transform ties into a “futuristic partnership.”
- Launch of Economic Security Dialogue to strengthen resilient supply chains and critical technologies cooperation.
- Establishment of an Industrial Cooperation Committee to coordinate investments in advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and critical minerals.
- Initiation of Foreign Ministry Dialogue on global issues such as climate change, Arctic governance, and maritime cooperation.
- Agreement to launch a 2+2 Dialogue (Defence and Foreign Affairs) at the Vice-Minister level.
• Economic & Trade Outcomes: Bilateral trade is currently at $27 billion, with a target to reach $50 billion by 2030.
- Decision to upgrade the India–South Korea CEPA by mid-2027, focusing on reducing non-tariff barriers, easing rules of origin, and expanding market access.
- Launch of India-Korea Financial Forum to facilitate financial flows.
- Establishment of a Korean Industrial Township in India, especially for SMEs.
• Technology & Industrial Cooperation: Launch of the India-Korea Digital Bridge for collaboration in Artificial Intelligence, semiconductors, and digital innovation ecosystems.
- MoUs signed in Shipbuilding and maritime logistics (identified as a priority sector), ports cooperation, steel supply chains, and Science & Technology collaboration.
- Recognition of shipbuilding as a new pillar of industrial cooperation.
- Establishment of India–ROK Annual Steel Dialogue and POSCO–JSW collaboration.
- Launch of Korea–India Defence Accelerator (KIND-X) for innovation in defence technologies.
- Expansion of space cooperation (ISRO–KASA Joint Working Group).
• Energy, Climate & Sustainability: Joint Statements on energy resource security and sustainability cooperation.
- Cooperation on critical minerals supply chains, including recycling and circular economy approaches.
- MoUs on climate and environment, including cooperation under Paris Agreement Article 6.2.
- South Korea joined the International Solar Alliance and Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.
- India joined the Global Green Growth Institute.
• Cultural & People-to-People Initiatives: Announcement of India-ROK Friendship Year (2028–29).
- Launch of Cultural Exchange Programme (2026–2030).
- Historical-cultural linkage reaffirmed through the legend of Princess Suriratna of Ayodhya and King Kim Suro.
• Financial & Institutional Agreements: MoU between IFSCA and Korean financial regulators and NPCI International Payments Ltd. and Korean clearing systems.
- Launch of Distinguished Visitors Programme (DVP).
India–Republic of Korea (ROK) Bilateral Relations
| Historical Relations: | · India and the ROK established consular relations in 1962 and diplomatic ties in 1973, later upgraded to a Special Strategic Partnership in 2015.· Leadership interactions continued through G20, G7, and East Asia Summit platforms (2023–2025).· India contributed significantly during the Korean War through UN mediation, medical aid, and prisoner repatriation efforts.· Cultural connections were reinforced by Rabindranath Tagore’s poem Lamp of the East. |
| Economic Relations: | · The CEPA (2010) boosted trade to about USD 26.9 billion in 2024–25, though with a trade deficit for India.· India exports petroleum products, metals, and steel, while importing electronics, machinery, and automobile components.· ROK is the 13th largest FDI investor in India with a strong presence in manufacturing, electronics, and automobiles. |
| Defence Relations: | · Defence ties are guided by key MoUs: 2005 (Defence Industry & Logistics), 2010 (Defence R&D), and 2020 (Defence Industry Roadmap).· Maritime cooperation is a major pillar, including the first bilateral naval exercise (2025) and Coast Guard MoU on Maritime Search and Rescue.· Participation in defence exhibitions like KADEX and dialogues such as Seoul Defence Dialogue and Delhi Defence Dialogue strengthens strategic and technological cooperation. |
| Diaspora: | · The Indian community in ROK is around 18,000, comprising students, professionals, and researchers.· A large number of Indians are engaged in STEM education and high-skilled sectors like IT and automobiles.· Indian diaspora associations actively promote cultural engagement and community welfare. |