New Delhi [India], April 20 (ANI): India and South Korea on Monday decided to strengthen ties across a range of sectors including technology, shipbuilding, energy and entertainment during visit of President Lee Jae Myung with the outcomes reflecting the width and depth of the growing partnership between the two countries.

The list of 15 outcomes included a Joint Strategic Vision for Special Strategic Partnership, Comprehensive Framework for Partnership in Shipbuilding, Shipping and Maritime Logistics, Joint Statement on Cooperation in Field of Sustainability and Joint Statement on Energy Resource Security. President Lee Jae Myung, who arrived in India on Sunday, held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The two countries also announced the launch of Economic Security Dialogue, establishment of Distinguished Visitors Programme (DVP) and launch of dialogue between the two Foreign Ministries on Global Themes, including Climate Change, Arctic, and Maritime Cooperation. South Korea announced joining Indo Pacific Oceans Initiative and joining the International Solar Alliance. India will join the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI).

The two countries decided to commemorate 2028-29 as Year of India-ROK FriendshipThe MOUs and frameworks included Cooperation in the Field of Ports, Establishment of the Industrial Cooperation Committee, Cooperation in the Field of Technology and Trade for Steel Supply Chain, Cooperation in the Field of Small and Medium sized Enterprises, Cooperation in the Field of Maritime Heritage and Joint Declaration on Resuming the Negotiations to upgrade the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between India and South Korea.

At a special briefing, MEA Secretary (East) P Kumaran spoke of the growing defence ties between the two countries.He said India is also looking at co-development and technology transfer. “Korea supplies K9 Vajra systems, anti-aircraft systems. There are already two phases of supplies that have happened. We’re looking at the third phase, which involves a greater technology transfer. We’re also looking at other kinds of anti-aircraft guns and missile systems.

We are also looking at co-development and technology transfer, code design, et cetera, of new generation defence systems. We are also looking at collaborating in terms of procurement of more kinds of defence hardware, telecom equipment, cyber security,” he said. Answering a query on geopolitical tensions, Kumaran said there was a general discussion in the sense of the upheaval caused by geopolitical contestations, conflicts, both in Ukraine, Russia and in the Gulf region.

“Overall, it was agreed that we should cooperate to try to strengthen peace and security and strengthen multilateral institutions. It was seen that India, as the leader of the Global South, would be a useful partner for Korea to interact with and to develop positions that broadly represent global opinion. In that context, the President of Korea appreciated our support for the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.

There was also a brief discussion about nonproliferation and cooperation in the area of making sure that sensitive technologies do not fall into the hands of non-state actors and other kinds of sanctioned entities.”Answering a query on India-Korea comprehensive framework for partnership in shipbuilding, shipping & maritime logistics, Kumaran said several initiatives have been taken as a part of this at the level of industries too.

“One includes a non-binding MOU between the Korean shipbuilder HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), the identified cluster developer and facilitator… Overall the emphasis is on upgrading existing shipyards, including developing block fabrication facilities and setting up a new dry dock to construct large and specialised vessels… We are also looking at financing and skill training,” he said.

“There will be also cooperation in developing port infrastructure, knowledge sharing, training our workers, and financing will be another area where the maritime development fund and the Korean sites development partnership funds would be used for advancing this programme. We are also looking at jointly designing manufacturing and supporting next-generation conventional and autonomous maritime and port cranes,” he added. (ANI)

India, South Korea elevate strategic partnership with focus on defence, trade and future technologies

New Delhi [India], April 21 (ANI): India and the Republic of Korea on Monday agreed to significantly deepen their strategic partnership with a focus on defence cooperation, economic security, industrial collaboration and emerging technologies, while reaffirming their shared vision of a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed South Korean President Lee on his first visit to India, highlighting the shared values and common Indo-Pacific vision between the two countries as New Delhi hosts the first presidential visit from the Republic of Korea in eight years.The two sides underlined the importance of closer coordination on regional and global strategic developments and agreed to expand institutional dialogue mechanisms between senior officials.

This includes planned meetings under defence industry cooperation frameworks and a proposed 2+2 dialogue between foreign and defence officials at the vice minister level.Both leaders also agreed to enhance consultations on emerging security challenges and strengthen cooperation through structured mechanisms such as the India-ROK Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue.

They further announced the launch of an Economic Security Dialogue aimed at strengthening supply chains, promoting diversification and advancing cooperation in critical technologies.The two leaders unequivocally and strongly condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism. They agreed to enhance cooperation to root out terrorists’ safe havens, eliminate terrorist financing channels and their nexus with transnational crime, and halt cross-border movement of terrorists.

The joint framework places strong emphasis on expanding industrial cooperation, particularly in sectors such as automobiles, shipbuilding, chemicals, semiconductors, telecom equipment, secondary batteries, green hydrogen and critical minerals. Both sides also agreed to strengthen cooperation in securing supply chains for strategic resources and promoting collaboration in nuclear power plant projects and overseas resource development.

A key highlight of the engagement was the adoption of a comprehensive framework for cooperation in shipbuilding, shipping and maritime logistics, reflecting growing convergence under India’s maritime development vision. Both sides also welcomed increased business-to-business collaboration between Indian and Korean companies in port development, shipyard infrastructure and maritime logistics, alongside the establishment of a Korean maritime industry office in Mumbai.

In the economic domain, the two leaders emphasised the need to expand bilateral trade and investment and accelerate negotiations to upgrade the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. They also highlighted the importance of digital trade, green economy cooperation and stronger supply chain linkages.

Financial and digital cooperation emerged as another key pillar, with both sides welcoming steps toward integration of digital payment systems to enhance interoperability and strengthen people-to-people ties. Cooperation between financial regulators and institutions was also expanded to support cross-border financial services and investment flows.

The leaders also acknowledged the role of financial institutions and sovereign investors in supporting infrastructure and manufacturing growth in India, while encouraging deeper participation from Korean financial entities in India’s expanding economy. In the technology space, both countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in artificial intelligence, data governance, semiconductors and digital innovation under a new framework aimed at building a digital bridge between the two nations. They also recognised the importance of emerging technologies in shaping future industrial growth.

Defence cooperation was further reinforced with continued progress on joint development of defence systems, including artillery platforms, and a shared commitment to expand collaboration in advanced defence technologies. Both sides also agreed to establish a new innovation platform to connect defence startups, industry and academic institutions.

Space cooperation was another important area of engagement, with both countries agreeing to enhance collaboration between their space agencies and explore joint research, satellite technologies and startup participation in the space sector.The engagement reflects a significant expansion of India-Republic of Korea ties, moving beyond traditional cooperation into a comprehensive strategic partnership spanning defence, trade, technology, energy and future industries, with both sides signalling a long-term commitment to deeper engagement. (ANI)

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