India–South Korea Defence Cooperation

Syllabus: GS2/ International Relations

Context

• The recent visit of India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to South Korea, reflects the growing strategic importance of India–South Korea defence cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

Key Highlights of the Visit

• Agreements were exchanged between both the nations on;
  • promoting cooperation in the field of Defence Cyber; 
  • training between India’s National Defence College and Korea National Defence University; and 
  • UN Peacekeeping Cooperation, making the partnership stronger and multidimensional.
• Both the nations signed two significant MoUs for co-developing Self-propelled air defence systems and Directed energy weapon systems.
• Larsen & Toubro and Hanwha signed an agreement to strengthen defence technology cooperation and capacity building.
• They also deliberated on a roadmap for the India-Korea Defence Innovation Accelerator Ecosystem (KIND-X), aimed at integrating the innovation ecosystems of the two countries.

Significance of South Korea for India

• Advanced Manufacturing: South Korea is a global leader in semiconductors, EV batteries, electronics, and shipbuilding, helping India strengthen its manufacturing and technological capabilities.
  • Companies such as Samsung, Hyundai Motor Company, LG Electronics, and Kia Corporation support India’s Make in India initiative through investment and technology transfer.
• Strategic and Defence Cooperation: India and South Korea share common interests in maintaining a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.
  • South Korea’s advancing aerospace sector, including the KF-21 fighter programme and the FA-50 light combat aircraft, has opened new avenues for collaboration in fighter technologies, engines, avionics, missile integration, and maintenance systems.
• Economic Synergy: South Korea is an important source of FDI and a major trading partner for India under the India–ROK CEPA.
• Maritime Cooperation: South Korea’s expertise in shipbuilding and submarine technologies supports India’s maritime and naval modernisation ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region.

Brief on India- South Korea Relations

• Cultural and Historical Relations: The two countries share deep historical ties, notably the legendary marriage of an Indian Princess from Ayodhya (Queen Heo Hwang-ok) to King Kim Suro of the Gaya kingdom in 48 CE.
  • The growing cultural exchanges through K-pop, K-dramas, and Indian cinema strengthen people-to-people ties.
• Diplomatic Cooperation: India and South Korea elevated their ties to a Special Strategic Partnership in 2015.
  • Both countries aim to increase bilateral trade to US$ 50 billion by 2030 and are negotiating an upgrade of the CEPA agreement.
  • India’s Act East Policy and South Korea’s regional strategic vision increasingly complement each other.
• Economic Cooperation: Bilateral trade between India and South Korea stood at nearly US$ 27 billion in FY2025 under the India–ROK Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
  • South Korea is India’s 13th largest FDI investor between 2000- 2024, standing at US$ 5.85 billion.
• Diaspora: The Indian community in South Korea is estimated at around 17,000 people as of 2025, including professionals, researchers, students, and businesspersons.

Challenges in India–South Korea Cooperation

• Technology Transfer Concerns: Differences regarding intellectual property rights and technology transfer may create hurdles in advanced defence collaboration.
• Geopolitical Sensitivities: South Korea’s economic dependence on China sometimes limits the extent of strategic alignment with India.
• Competition in Defence Exports: Both countries are emerging defence exporters, which may create competitive pressures in certain global markets.
• Bureaucratic and Procedural Delays: Complex procurement procedures and regulatory hurdles may slow implementation of joint projects.

Concluding remarks

• India–South Korea defence ties are evolving into a broader strategic partnership driven by shared Indo-Pacific security concerns, technological cooperation, and regional stability. 
• Beyond defence-industrial collaboration, both countries are increasingly focusing on maritime security, emerging technologies, and strategic resilience, making the partnership an important pillar of the Indo-Pacific order.

Source: TH