OPINION: India-South Korea ties: Moving from strength to strength

Since the Modi government adopted 'Act East' policy, relations between India and South Korea have improved a lot. Today, New Delhi and Seoul have several dialogue mechanisms to chart out a common course of action.

The recent talks External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar had with his South Korean counterpart Park Jin, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two nations, offer yet another substantial indication that relations between New Delhi and Seoul are set to move from strength to strength.

During the talks in New Delhi, Jaishankar and Park agreed to develop their "special strategic partnership," and expand cooperation in economic security, science and technology. Park also expressed a willingness to strengthen strategic communication and solidarity with India.

Knowledgeable sources say the foundations of friendship between India and South Korea are very strong. History bears out that Indian Princess (from Ayodhya) Suriratna went to Korea, married King Kim-Suro, and became Queen Heo Hwang-ok in 48 AD.

During the Korean war, New Delhi condemned the North as an aggressor against the South. The Indian Army (60 Para Field Hospital Unit) rendered glorious services in this war. In 1973, India established diplomatic ties with South Korea.

After then Prime Minister P.V. Narsimha Rao opened up the country's economy and adopted his famous 'Look East' policy in the nineties, relations between the two nations improved a lot. India and South Korea signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in 2009 and the Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (2011).

Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took over in June 2014, relations between the two nations have improved further. His government has had an 'Act East' policy. During Modi's visit to Seoul in May 2015, the two sides elevated their ties to a 'Special Strategic Partnership'. In 2018, they signed 11 agreements, including in the areas of trade, cultural and, scientific and technological cooperation.

In 2019, they concluded seven agreements (2019) to enhance cooperation in areas, including infrastructure development, start-ups and combating trans-border and international terror.

In 2020, the two nations agreed on a long-term 'Roadmap on Defense Cooperation. This has led to regular bilateral consultations between the armed forces, navy and air force of the two countries.

Today, New Delhi and Seoul recognise the importance of the freedom of navigation, overflight and unimpeded lawful commerce. They have mechanisms, such as the foreign ministers-led Joint Commission, the Vice-Ministerial 2+2 and the National Security Council-level meet, to chart out a common course of action to serve their mutual interests.

Today, India and South Korea share strong appreciation of each other. South Korea backs India's membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). Defence cooperation between New Delhi and Seoul is growing. South Korea is a major supplier of weapons and military equipment to India. India has developed the K9 Vajra, a 155mm, 52 Calibre artillery gun. It has been produced by the L&T and Korea's Hanwha Defense.

India has been supportive of South Korea against the nuclear threat North Korea poses to it. India condemned North Korea's biggest nuclear test in 2017. In January 2018, India endorsed the "Vancouver Dialogue" - aimed at containing the proliferation of North Korean nuclear weapons. Recently, India has expressed its apprehension regarding North Korea's missile tests at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Needless to add, New Delhi has been committed to maintain its friendship with Seoul irrespective of any change of guard in the latter. Prime Minister Modi had a telephone conversation with President Yoon Suk-yeol after the latter's election. They agreed to further strengthen cooperation in the fields of climate change, green economy, high-end technology and supply chain resilience.

In December last, the Yoon administration unveiled its "Strategy for Ina Free, Peaceful and Prosperous Indo-Pacific Region." This strategy views India as a special strategic partner of South Korea. The Yoon administration seems to calculate New Delhi could be helpful in advancing South Korea's new interest in being included as part of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad).

Regrettably, the sources say, all is not well between India and South Korea on the trade front. India's trade deficit with South Korea is increasing. The India-South Korea trade volume reached an impressive figure of $23.7 billion in 2021.

But currently, India has a trade deficit against South Korea. Because of the nationalist spirit in South Korea (and Japan), Indian companies are not able to secure the required foothold to export their steel.

(Jagdish N. Singh is a senior journalist based in New Delhi. He is also Senior Distinguished Fellow at the Gatestone Institute, New York)

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