India-Korea Defense Cooperation / Relations in Current Context

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02 Jan India-Korea Defense Cooperation / Relations in Current Context

Posted at 02 Jan 2024 in Current Affairs by
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( This article is a brief summary of the combined editorials of ‘Indian Express’, ‘The Hindu’, ‘World Focus‘ and ‘PIB‘. It also includes suggestions from the PLUTUS IAS team. This article is specifically for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Belongs to the section ‘International Relations, Indian Politics and Governance, India-South Korea Defense-Cooperation’. This article is related to ‘India-Korea Defense Cooperation / Relations in Current Context’ under ‘Daily Current Affairs’ ).

General Studies: International Relations, Indian Politics and Governance, India-South Korea Defense Cooperation.

Why in discussion / News ?

India, during its G20 presidency in 2023, recalled the contribution of its diplomatic role in the Korean War seven decades ago. India and South Korea have taken their mutual relations to new heights through bilateral treaties and agreements over the years. During the global pandemic COVID-19, better mutual coordination was also seen between the two countries in the health sector. To stop the spread of Coronavirus, South Korea worked seriously on strategies like high speed of testing, strict quarantine policy and contact tracing, which proved to be a path-breaking example for India. Apart from the strong trade and economic relations between India and South Korea, equal importance is also being given to the dynamic defense relations. In the year 2019, India and South Korea have signed an agreement under Special Strategic Partnership under which both the countries will use each other’s naval bases for exchange of logistics. Recently, between Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and his South Korean counterpart Suh Wook, both the countries decided to emphasize joint research, joint production of defense equipment and joint export of defense industrial cooperation in the field of defense industrial cooperation. Defense industrial cooperation was discussed extensively in this meeting. South Korea, as a strong ally, has been a major supplier of arms and military equipment to India. In 2019, India and South Korea finalized a roadmap for cooperation in joint production of various naval systems.

  • India’s role in the Korean War was partially successful, yet India is counted among the countries that contributed to ending the war.

Events of the Korean War:

Background:

  • This war event has its roots in the conflict over Japanese control of Korea between 1910 and 1945.
  • When Japan was defeated in World War II, the Allied forces agreed to establish a “Four Power Trusteeship over Korea” at the Yalta Conference (1945).
  • While the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) invaded Korea and took control of the northern region, South Korea remained under the control of the rest of its allies, primarily the United States.
  • The 38th parallel, the official border dividing Korea into two parts, divided the two regions into North and South Korea, which still remains the official border dividing Korea into two parts.
  • The Republic of Korea (South Korea) and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) were established in 1948.
  • Both the countries tried to expand their reach regionally and ideologically at their respective levels, due to which the Korean conflict emerged between the two countries.

Historical background:

  • The relations between South Korea and India are not from today but are more than 2000 years old.
  • There are many such legends and legends and it is believed that Princess Suriratna of Ayodhya married King Kim-suro of Korea. Therefore, in view of this marital relationship between the two countries, a joint postage stamp has also been issued.
  • Buddhism originated mainly in India but spread to China, Japan and Korea, thus the cultural ties resulting from the spread of the religion brought the two countries closer to each other.
  • Many rulers of India had sent their messengers to this region to spread Buddhism and also the students here used to come to get education in the Buddhist education centers of India.

Various areas of India-South Korea cooperation:

Political Sector:

  • Political relations between India and South Korea began after the independence of South Korea in 1945. India has always played an important and positive role in the affairs of South Korea.
  • Only Shri K.P.S. Menon of India was appointed as the Chairman of the 9-member United Nations Commission formed in 1947 to conduct elections in Korea. 
  • During the Korean War (1950–53), both sides of the war accepted a resolution sponsored by India and a ceasefire was declared on 27 July 1953, which was a major achievement for India.
  • The state visit of the then President of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam to the Republic of Korea in 2006 marked the beginning of a new phase in India-Republic of Korea relations. During this visit, a task force was formed to take a decision on the bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). This Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement came into effect in January 2010.
  • Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to South Korea in 2019 was very important when he was awarded the Seoul Peace Prize. In this way, political relations between India and South Korea have remained very strong.

Economic and Business Sector:

  • Korea is India’s 15th largest trading partner. Shipbuilding, automobile, electronics, textile, food processing and manufacturing etc. are the major sectors in India-Republic of Korea mutual trade.
  • The investment of Indian technology companies in the Republic of Korea is approximately Rs 2 billion. Whereas big companies of Republic of Korea like Samsung, Hyundai Motors and LG have invested more than 3 billion dollars in India.
  • 603 small and big Korean firms are officially operating in India. Multinational Korean company Samsung, by setting up its world’s largest enterprise in Noida, has made its intention clear that if India creates an investment-friendly environment, Korea will not lag behind in investment.
  • Apart from this, Korea has announced that it will establish a startup center in India. Bilateral trade between the two countries reached $22.52 billion in the year 2019-2020.

Cultural Area:

  • To enhance cultural exchange between India and the Republic of Korea, Indian Cultural Centers were established in Seoul in April 2011 and Busan in December 2013.
  • Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi and the University of Delhi, which are located in Delhi, India, offer research programs ranging from graduate-level to PhD courses in Korea Studies and Korean Language courses, respectively.
  • In the year 2013, ‘Indian Institute of Studies Korea’ was established by the Korea International Trade Association. The Institute of Indian Studies Korea is a platform that brings together a large number of Korean and Indian academicians, economists and business representatives.
  • Exchange of youth delegations between India and the Republic of Korea has been taking place on an annual basis for many years.

Overseas Indians living in South Korea:

  • The total number of Indian citizens living in the Republic of Korea is around 11,000. More than 1000 Indian scholars are studying and doing research in postgraduate and PhD courses in the Republic of Korea.
  • Many professionals from important sectors like information technology, shipping and automobile have migrated to the Republic of Korea in the last few years mainly from India and are making significant contributions in strengthening the economy there.

Current Perspective of India-South Korea Bilateral Relations:

  • While South Korea wants to establish better relations with India through the New Southern Policy, India is promoting its relations through its Look East Policy.
  • South Korea has declared India as its special strategic partner, South Korea has made such an agreement only with its traditional allies like Japan and America.
  • During the global pandemic Covid-19, both the countries have ensured mutual exchange of health-related equipment such as testing kits, masks and medicines that develop immunity.
  • Along with the joint meeting at the ministerial level between South Korea and India, talks like 2 + 2 Dialogue are going on at the secretary level, due to which both India and South Korea are continuously strengthening their strategic relations. Are doing, it turns out.
  • Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement that allows India and South Korea free import of critical metals and articles from each other. There is also a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between India and South Korea.
  • South Korea is building a project on a trilateral basis with India in Afghanistan. Along with this, he has always been supporting India’s Afghanistan policy.
  • India-South Korea Technology Exchange – Center has been established in the premises of ‘National Small Enterprises Corporation’ located in New Delhi. Through this, both the countries are helping each other in the field of small and medium industries.
  • Korea Plus has been operationalized between the two countries since June 2016, involving representatives of the South Korean Ministry of Industry, Trade and Energy, Korea Trade Investment and Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and Invest India. Are included.
  • Korean Broadcasting System and Prasar Bharati have agreed to facilitate the broadcasting of Doordarshan India Channel in South Korea and Korean Broadcasting Channel in India as well as to promote mutual cultural relations between India and South Korea.

Challenges in India-South Korea relations:

  • South Korea’s trade with China is almost 10 times more than that with India. Therefore, we should not forget that even though India wants to sideline China from a strategic and trade point of view by signing an agreement with South Korea, the undeniable truth is that there is still confusion between the two countries regarding the free trade agreement. Therefore, trade between India and South Korea is not achieving the expected pace.
  • In the last few years, relations between South Korea and North Korea have normalized and it is indirectly believed that there is a partnership between North Korea and Pakistan on nuclear programs which is a matter of concern for India.
  • Special attention is not being given to the cultural relations between India and South Korea, as a result incidents based on racial discrimination are increasing.
  • There was an agreement between India and South Korea to increase strategic partnership a decade ago, but that agreement is still limited on paper or it can be said that not much progress has been made in this regard.
  • The Indo-Pacific region has the highest contribution in world trade but India’s relations with these island countries are not as strong as they should be. Which may create difficulties for India in future in both strategic and commercial areas.

India-South Korea complement each other:

  • On one hand, while India is focusing on implementing its ‘Act East Policy’, on the other hand, South Korea is also working with North-East Asia, South-East Asia, Australia and India as per its ‘New South Policy’. Will strengthen its strategic and trade relations.
  • India’s population is 24 times that of South Korea, while in terms of per capita GDP it is only 16th of South Korea. Thus, the relationship between the two complements each other because while South Korea has capital along with advanced technology and experts, India has a huge market and availability of raw materials which both countries can take advantage of. Due to which both the countries can strengthen their strategic and trade relations between themselves.
  • Unlike India, South Korea is completely dependent on sea imports for its energy needs, while both India and South Korea are peninsular countries. In such a situation, amid India’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region, there is a common interest of both the countries in the security of maritime traffic. The convergence of mutual interests between India and South Korea also facilitates technology transfer.
  • The Indian Navy’s dominance in the Indian Ocean may prove useful for Seoul. At the same time, South Korea’s shipbuilding capabilities can prove helpful for India. South Korea’s cooperation in shipbuilding modernization for military and commercial use in India can prove to be a ‘win-win deal’.
  • From drones to air defense guns and effective border surveillance systems, there are many fronts of partnership on which both the countries are discussing. If India gets access to the sensitive surveillance systems developed by South Korea in the Demilitarized Zone adjacent to North Korea, then it can prove to be effective for India in dealing with the challenges of infiltration along the Line of Control with Pakistan. India and South Korea are also talking about joint development and production of missile air-defense systems.
  • Both India and South Korea are in support of the Indo-Pacific Policy. Moreover, like India’s Act East Policy, South Korea’s New South Policy also aims at economic, diplomatic, and To strengthen strategic relations.
  • In view of the increasing trade war between America and China, India needs a new market. In such a situation, India can give a new direction to economic relations with South Korea.

Conclusion / way forward:

  • The way the mutual relations between the two countries are currently deepening in order to contribute to the contribution of both India and South Korea in providing peace and security at the global level, is reflected in the mutual strategic, trade and economic development of both the countries. Cultural relations have attracted the attention of the global world towards mutual needs and requirements but there is a need to take it further so that both the countries can contribute to world peace and security.
  • India’s ‘Act East Policy’ and South Korea’s ‘New South Policy’ still need to be strengthened to reduce growing regional instability.
  • To emphasize on joint research, joint production of defense equipment and joint export of its strategic, trade, cultural and defense industrial cooperation, India needs to include South Korea among its top priority countries as South Korea is a strong ally, the country has been a major supplier of arms and military equipment to India. Therefore, India and South Korea currently need to work together for regional stability.

Practice Questions for Preliminary Exam:

Q.1. What is the 2 + 2 Dialogue running between South Korea and India?

(A).  A Rail project between South Korea and India.

(B). A roadmap for cooperation in joint production of naval systems between South Korea and India.

(C). Establishment of India-South Korea Technology Exchange – Center in the premises of ‘National Small Enterprises Corporation’ located in New Delhi.

(D).  Along with the joint meeting at the ministerial level between the two countries, South Korea and India, talks are being held at the secretary level.

Answer – (D)

Practice Questions for Mains Exam:

Q.1. What is the ‘Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement’ between India and South Korea? In the context of strategic, cultural and economic relations between India and South Korea, discuss how India’s ‘Act East Policy’ and South Korea’s ‘New South Policy’ can affect the increasing regional instability?

 

 

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