India-South Korea (RoK) Relations

General Studies Paper – 2

Context: General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff of India, recently visited the Republic of Korea.

Background

• The deep-rooted connections between India and South Korea (RoK) can be traced back to 48 AD, as documented in the 13th-century Korean text “SamgukYusa.”
• It tells the story of Princess Suriratna of Ayodhya (later Queen Heo Hwang-ok), who married King Kim-Suro of the ancient Gaya Confederacy in Korea.
• Diplomatic relations established in 1973, further strengthened to a “Special Strategic Partnership” in 2015.
• Year 2023 marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between India and RoK.

Areas of Cooperation

Economic Cooperation:

• FDI: South Korea is the 13th largest foreign direct investment (FDI) source in India, investing US$ 5.4 billion between April 2000 to December 2022, as per Invest India. Companies like Samsung, LG, and Hyundai have established manufacturing and service facilities.
• Bilateral trade: It has grown significantly, reaching over $17 billion in 2013 and exceeding $23 billion in 2022.
• CEPA: India and Korea signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in 2010, further boosting trade and investment.

Technological Collaboration:

• Both countries are actively involved in knowledge sharing and joint research initiatives in areas like information technology, biotechnology, and renewable energy.
• Collaboration in space exploration and satellite technology is also gaining momentum.

Security and Defense:

• Regular military exchanges and joint exercises to enhance cooperation and understanding on regional security issues.
• Partnerships in defense technology development and procurement.

Cultural and Educational Exchange:

• Growing popularity of Korean pop culture (K-pop) and dramas in India, fostering cultural understanding and people-to-people exchanges.
• Increasing student mobility and academic partnerships between universities in both countries.

Challenges

• Rising nationalism and protectionist tendencies in both countries can pose challenges to further economic integration.
• North Korea’s nuclear program remains a concern for both India and South Korea, requiring coordinated efforts for regional stability.
• The emerging coalition of North Korea, China, and Russia poses a new serious challenge to collaborative efforts between the two nations.
• Divergent stances may arise, necessitating a nuanced appraisal of each party’s strategic imperatives.
• A challenge is the absence of a shared vision for a new comprehensive defence framework to construct a novel and sustainable emerging regional order.

Measures

• Explore technological collaborations: Leveraging their technological capabilities, India and South Korea should aim to collaborate in developing advanced defence systems and equipment.
• Explore opportunities: In an era where defence against space warfare, information warfare, and cybersecurity is paramount, both nations can further explore opportunities for cooperation.
• Tech arena: Given Korea’s status as an advanced high-tech digital superpower, vast opportunities exist in the development of robust security measures to effectively counter emerging threats in the digital domain.
• Counter terrorism: Strengthening coordinated efforts to counter terrorism aligns seamlessly with the shared concerns of India and South Korea.
• Maritime security: There is potential for collaboration in maritime security, including joint patrolling and information sharing, given the significant maritime interests both countries have in the Indian Ocean.
• Peacekeeping and exercises: India and South Korea can leverage their United Nations peacekeeping expertise for collaborative efforts through sharing insights and resources in peacekeeping operations.

Way Ahead

• The imperative for India and Korea is to transcend the confines of bilateral cooperation, and embrace a paradigm shift that cultivates a more profound understanding of their roles in the swiftly evolving global scenario.
• A strategic, balanced approach, coupled with adaptability to the evolving geopolitical landscape is key to unlocking a robust and enduring defence collaboration.

Overall, India and South Korea share a strong and multifaceted partnership. Addressing existing challenges and exploring new avenues of collaboration will further strengthen this strategic relationship in the years to come.