India and South Korea Explore Enhanced Cooperation in Multiple Sectors

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar engaged in discussions with a delegation of special envoys from the Republic of Korea, led by former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, to fortify bilateral relations. The talks encompassed key areas such as economy, technology, defence, maritime security, and people-to-people exchanges. This meeting aims to deepen collaboration across various sectors, including green hydrogen, shipbuilding, investment, semiconductors, and regional security, especially in the Indo-Pacific. Indian Ambassador to South Korea, Amit Kumar, also met with Kim Boo-kyum ahead of the delegation’s visit to India. The South Korean delegation included Representative Lee Kai Ho and Democratic Party of Korea’s Supreme Council Member Song Sun-ho. The discussions highlighted the multifaceted Special Strategic Partnership and explored prospects for reinforcing ties in peace, prosperity, and regional connectivity. The recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Canada underscored a shared vision to work together in trade, investment, green energy, and emerging technology sectors. Initiatives such as Korea Plus and the establishment of the Korea-India SME and Start-up Centre in Gurugram exemplify the ongoing efforts to encourage Korean investments in India. As of June 2023, South Korea’s total foreign direct investment (FDI) in India amounted to USD 8.02 billion.