India- South Korea Relations

Why in news?

The historic Camp David Summit held in August 2023 gives India and South Korea a unique opportunity to enhance their strategic partnership.

What is the history of India-South Korea relations?

• Historical relation- According to the 13th century Korean historical text "SamgukYusa" or “Heritage History of the Three Kingdoms", Princess Suriratna from Ayodhya (India) came to Korea in the year 48 AD.
• She married King Kim-Suro of the erstwhile Gaya Confederacy in ancient Korea and became Queen Heo Hwang-ok. Many Koreans trace their ancestry to this lineage.
• Buddhism- Some scholars believe that Buddhism reached Korea via the maritime route with the arrival of Princess Suriratna and her brother Monk Jangyu.
• Literature- Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore composed a short but evocative poem titled 'Lamp of the East’ in 1929 about Korea's glorious past and its promising bright future.
• Political relations- India played an important role in the Korean peninsula after Korea's independence in 1945.
• Former Indian diplomat Shri K P S Menon was the Chairman of the 9-member UN Commission set up in 1947 to hold elections in Korea.
• In 2018, both countries issued a statement outlining a “Vision for People, Prosperity, Peace and our Future”
• Diplomatic relations- Consular relations were established in 1962. Both established diplomatic relations on 1973.
• Economic relations- They both formed a “Strategic Partnership” in 2010, which was elevated to “Special Strategic Partnership” in 2015.
• Korea plus- This initiative aims to facilitate Korean investments in India.
• Bilateral trade- In 2022, it reached record levels of 27.8 billion dollars.
• India’s import volume stands 18.8 billion dollars, while the export volume is 9 billion dollars.
• Defence- In 2020, India and South Korea signed a Roadmap for Defence Industries Cooperation.
• Cultural relations- In 2011, the Indian Cultural Centre was established in Seoul to showcase India’s rich cultural heritage and promote cultural exchanges between both countries.

What is the significance of Camp David meet?

• Regional security- It indicates a much-needed repair in South Korea and Japan relations.
• Strengthen US alliance structure- The summit reflect the multipolar urges of the contemporary international system in East Asia along with groupings such as
• • AUKUS- U.S, United Kingdom, Australia
  • Quad -India, Japan, Australia, U.S
  • CHIP 4 Alliance- U.S., Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea
• New strategic direction- It has the potential to set South Korea on strategic direction in Indo-Pacific with
  • Improved relations with Japan
  • More synergy with the American view on China
  • Enhance the engagement of Indo- Pacific
• China challenge- It marks a strategic shift in Seoul’s traditional approach of not offending China at any cost.
• QUAD grouping- This summit mooted the South Korea’s keen desire to join the group, it might apply for a membership in Quad Plus in 2024.
• New foreign policy- The main goal is to make South Korea a “global pivotal state”.

How the summit would strengthen India-Korea relations?

• Natural partner- Korea is a natural partner for India in Indo-Pacific. It is due to number of reasons.
  • South Korea’s location in the Indo-Pacific, close to China.
  • It is a U.S. ally provides India with a like-minded strategic partner.
  • For both, the rise of China and its unilateral attempts at reordering the Asian security architecture are of great concern.
• Regional partner- For India, Seoul can be an important regional partner at a time when India is closer to the U.S. and is concerned about Chinese intentions and power like never before in history.
• Enhance the relation - It provides a unique opportunity for India and ROK to enhance their strategic partnership in the 50th year of their diplomatic relationship.
• Diplomatic relations- The partnership could also benefit from reciprocal visits by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr. Yoon to each other’s country.

What lies ahead?

• Political cooperation- The two sides should consider establishing an annual summit at the level of
  • Foreign Ministers Meet
  • 2+2 format dialogue

India currently has 2+2 dialogues with the U.S., Japan, Australia and Russia.

• Foster technology- Both could explore the possibility of negotiating a South Korea-Japan-India-U.S. initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), along the lines of the recently-concluded India-U.S. iCET.
• Defence -South Korea’s willingness and ability to cater to India’s defence needs within the ambit of India’s ‘Make in India’ programme must be utilised.
  • Example-The K9 Vajra, a 155 mm self-propelled howitzer, built by L&T with technology from South Korea’s Hanwha Defense
  • South Korean-built K2 Black Panther tanks could also be co-produced in India for the Indian Army or third countries.
• Nuclear energy- Given Seoul’s remarkable track record in supplying cheaper and faster nuclear reactors India could consider purchasing Korean-built reactors so as to expand the share of nuclear energy in the country’s energy basket.

References

1. The Hindu- Finding Seoul in Indo-Pacific
2. Ministry of External affairs- Republic of Korea relation