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Strategic relationships between India and South Korea have changed remarkably in recent years. Since President Moon Jae-in introduced his ‘New Southern Policy’ (NSP) in November 2017, New Delhi’s contacts with Seoul have improved noticeably. The new strategy is a part of the wider, overarching Northeast Asia-plus Committee plan, including the Northeast Asia Peace and Collaboration Platform (NAPCP) and the New Northern Policy (NNP), both aiming to increase cooperation with North Korea and Russia, respectively.
The NSP intends to equalise Korea’s strategic ties with ASEAN and India with those with the country’s four major diplomatic partners: the United States, China, Japan, and Russia. Southeast Asia and India have risen to the top of Korea’s foreign policy agenda, which was traditionally dominated by the Korean Peninsula and the four leading nations’ roles.
PM’s Visit to South Korea
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent three-nation tour concluded on May 18, 2015, with a visit to South Korea.
Prior to his tour to Korea, the Prime Minister paid visits to China and Mongolia, China’s northern neighbour.
Over the previous few years, the premiers of both countries have made regular visits to strengthen bilateral ties.
Back in 2012, when Manmohan Singh was the Indian Prime minister, he visited South Korea, and his South Korean counterpart visited India in 2014.
The Indian Prime Minister’s recent visit aims to deepen bilateral cooperation on both geographical and political grounds.
The Indian Prime Minister met with representatives from Korean enterprises in order to strengthen the ‘Make in India’ campaign and encourage new investment in India, but his visit may also be read as a retaliation against China.
Historical and Cultural Connections
India and South Korea have had historical and cultural links since ancient times. According to ‘SamgukYusa’, or ‘The Heritage History of the Three Kingdoms’, published in the 13th century in Korea, in the year 48 AD, a Princess from Ayodhya (Suriratna) in India went to Korea. She married King Kim-Suro, becoming Queen Hur Hwang-ok.
Many people, including notable leaders, may be descended from this royal couple. Hyecho or Hong Jiao, a Korean Buddhist monk, visited India between 723 and 729 AD. His book ‘Pilgrimage to the Five Kingdoms of India’, provides a complete overview of Indian culture, politics, and society, including food practices, languages, and climate.
Relations Between two Countries
Following the visit of our former Indian President APJ Abul Kalam to South Korea in 2006, a task group was formed to finalise the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). In 2010, the final CEPA agreement was made. The President of South Korea was invited as the Chief Guest at the Republic Day ceremonies in 2010. Both countries signed a bilateral Civil Nuclear Energy Cooperation Agreement in July 2011.
To promote people-to-people ties and travel between the two nations, India began offering visa-on-arrival (VoA) services to Korean visitors on April 15, 2014.
Most Recent Visit
The Indian Prime Minister visited South Korea to strengthen, grow, and deepen the two nations’ existing strong bilateral ties. Bilateral commerce in 2011 exceeded $ 20.5 billion, representing a 70% increase over a two-year period. The Indian Prime Minister and his Korean counterpart established a revised trade target of $40 billion by 2015 in 2012, but trade between the two countries has fallen since then. Both presidents agreed to increase bilateral commerce through stronger economic collaboration. The significant agreements struck by the two leaders are the following:
Avoiding double taxes
Formalising discussions between the two countries’ National Security Councils
Agreement on Audio-Visual Co-production Co-operation for the Development of the Electricity and New Energy Industries
The Framework of Cooperation (FOC) in the Field of Road Transport and Highways MoU to improve and encourage cooperation on youth issues
Collaboration in marine transportation and logistics.
Conclusion
Aside from the United States, China, Japan, and Russia, Korea maintains a security conversation with only India. South Korea and India may potentially become geostrategic allies, with India backing South Korea’s position on inter-Korean issues and Seoul supporting New Delhi’s balancing role in the Asia-Pacific region.
