How the relations between South Korea and India have evolved over the years
Political:
- India was instrumental in the signing of a cease-fire agreement between North and South Korea during the Korean War (1950–1953), which resulted in the declaration of a cease-fire on July 27, 1953.
- The two-way cooperation was elevated to a “special strategic partnership” in 2015.
- India is a key component of South Korea’s Southern Policy, which aims to expand ties with countries outside of its immediate neighbourhood.
- One of the main participants in India’s Act East Policy is South Korea.
- India wants to build strategic alliances, foster cultural exchanges, and advance economic cooperation with the Asia-Pacific region.
- The two parties inked a cooperation pact in 2005 for defence and logistics.
- Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) from 2006 regarding the two Coast Guards’ cooperative efforts.
- To improve interoperability, the coast guards of South Korea and India have carried out five drills.
- Sahyog-Hyeoblyeog 2018, a recent drill, was conducted off the coast of Chennai.
- A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two Coast Guards is suggested in order to enhance maritime security in the Indian Ocean region.
- In a ceremony held in the Delhi Cantonment in 2021, the South Korean counterpart and the Indian Minister of Defence officially opened the India-Korea Friendship Park.
- The park was constructed as a way to honour the Indian peacekeeping force’s service during the 1950–53 Korean War.
Problems:
- Lack of agreement on a new, all-encompassing defence framework.
- This can offer a strong framework within which both countries can function and coordinate their actions to establish a new and enduring regional order.
- Reevaluating India’s place in the area is met with resistance from the Korean government.
- Strong arms lobbying groups in Korea and India could be a barrier.
- highlighting the need to put long-term strategic objectives ahead of immediate profits.
Reasons behind the Korean Stand’s modification for India:
- The biggest market for defence products is India.
- India is a regional force that may make a significant impact on the Indo-Pacific region’s peace and stability.
- The Indian government’s continued overemphasis on acquiring weapons and transferring technology from Korea.
- It has a propensity to eclipse more important strategic factors.
- The Korean defence establishment’s unrelenting concentration on profit-driven arms sales to India
- There are no strategic considerations in it.
Requirement for compilation:
- The newly formed alliance between China, Russia, and North Korea presents a significant obstacle to the two countries’ cooperative endeavours.
- It may become necessary to evaluate each party’s strategic imperatives when divergent viewpoints emerge.
COS meetings with the heads of major Korean defence organisations, including:
- Administration of the Defence Acquisition Programme (DAPA)
- Defence Development Agency (ADD)
- It is expected that they would strengthen the bonds between the defence communities in both nations.
Collaborations using technology:
- India and South Korea want to work together to create cutting-edge defence gear and systems.
- Future wars will heavily rely on technology, as there is endless potential for collaboration in this field.
- Such cooperation may result in an advantageous defence technology and industry alliance.
- It will catapult both nations to the forefront of independence and creativity.
- It is crucial to protect against cyberattacks, information warfare, and space warfare.
- Both countries can look at more chances for collaboration.
Korea’s position as a cutting-edge, high-tech digital powerhouse:
- There are opportunities to create strong security measures in these regions.
- In order to successfully combat new risks in the digital sphere
- It will guarantee the safety of vital data and infrastructure.
Cooperation in security:
- Significant maritime interests exist between ROK and India in the Indian Ocean.
- Increasing concerted measures to combat terrorism is in line with South Korea’s and India’s common concerns.
- Cooperation in marine security, such as cooperative patrols and information exchange, is possible.
The Way Ahead:
- It is essential that Korea and India move beyond the boundaries of their bilateral collaboration.
- accept a paradigm change that fosters a deeper comprehension of their position in the rapidly changing global scene.
- South Korea and India can work together by utilising their experience with UN peacekeeping.
- By pooling their knowledge and resources, peacekeeping efforts may strengthen stability both locally and globally, demonstrating their shared commitment to maintaining peace and security.
Collaborative exercises and sharing of best practices in disaster relief and humanitarian assistance (HADR):
- It illustrates how both countries have a shared duty to manage natural catastrophe vulnerability.
- Enhancing combined army drills, promoting interoperability, and fortifying both forces’ capacities for efficient cooperation in a range of situations are examples of mutual progress.
- The expansion of collaboration between the Indian Navy and other branches of the armed forces has been sparked by the COAS visit to Seoul.
- The way forward requires careful navigating of the obstacles and enthusiastic seizing of the possibilities.
- a methodical, well-rounded strategy combined with flexibility to accommodate the changing geopolitical environment
- It is essential to establishing a strong and long-lasting defence partnership.
- establishing a collaboration that promotes wealth, peace, and stability in the Indo-Pacific area.
- Together, the two countries are prepared to face the challenges and unknowns of the future, paving the way for a more robust and long-lasting alliance.
- In addition to the United States and Japan, ROK might become a crucial component in India’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
- It is crucial to consider the future of the strategic alliance between Korea and India in light of the most recent geopolitical changes in East Asia.
- With a fresh strategic perspective, ROK is in a unique position to support India in advancing its Indo-Pacific objectives alongside the US, Japan, and Australia.
