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India, South Korea Boost Strategic Ties in Seoul Security Dialogue

P. Kumaran co-chaired the 6th India-ROK Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue in Seoul with First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo. Both sides agreed to advance their Special Strategic Partnership through high-level engagements, including a planned summit and ministerial visits. Discussions focused on expanding cooperation in shipbuilding, AI, semiconductors, green hydrogen, and critical mineral supply chains. The dialogue also covered regional issues concerning the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific.

Key Points: India-South Korea Foreign Policy & Security Dialogue in Seoul

  • Advance Special Strategic Partnership by 2026
  • Enhance cooperation in AI, shipbuilding & critical minerals
  • Plan high-level visits & ministerial meetings
  • Deepen cultural & people-to-people ties
3 min read

MEA Secy Kumaran co-chairs 6th India-ROK Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue in Seoul

Officials discuss AI, shipbuilding & critical minerals to advance the Special Strategic Partnership ahead of a planned 2026 summit.

"I look forward to our 'Special Strategic Partnership' taking a significant leap forward this year through the summit between our leaders. - Cho Hyun"

New Delhi, February 14

P. Kumaran, Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs, undertook an official visit to the Republic of Korea on February 12-13 to co-chair the 6th Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue alongside his counterpart, Park Yoon-joo, First Vice Foreign Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ROK, according to an official statement from the Ministry of External Affairs.

During the deliberations held on Friday, both sides agreed to take forward the 'India-ROK Special Strategic Partnership' in 2026 through regular high-level engagements, including the visit of the ROK's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT to India for the AI Impact Summit, Foreign Ministers-led Joint Commission Meeting and several other ministerial and senior official-level dialogues.

In a post on X, India in ROK said, "P. Kumaran, Secretary (East), called on Cho Hyun, Foreign Minister of the ROK, and reaffirmed the shared commitment to further strengthen the Special Strategic Partnership. The discussions focused on exploring the avenues for enhanced cooperation in shipbuilding and the maritime sector, AI, as well as cultural exchanges and people-to-people ties."

Both sides discussed the whole gamut of bilateral relations, including political, economic and commercial, defence and security, science and technology, culture and people-to-people ties. Secretary Kumaran highlighted the significant opportunities in the shipbuilding and maritime sectors for Korean companies, while emphasising the need to enhance economic security cooperation, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

The discussions also explored partnerships in critical minerals and supply chains and identified possibilities of cooperation in new and emerging technologies such as AI, semiconductor, green hydrogen, etc. Both sides further deliberated on deepening cultural relations through enhanced people-to-people ties.

In a post on X, Hyun said, "Today, I met with Secretary (East) Periasamy Kumaran of India's Ministry of External Affairs, visiting Korea for the 6th Korea-India Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue. Having served as Ambassador to India from 2015 to 2017, I experienced firsthand India's immense potential. It was therefore especially meaningful to hear from Secretary Kumaran today about the steady progress in our bilateral cooperationacross a wide range of areas. I look forward to our "Special Strategic Partnership" taking a significant leap forward this year through the summit between our leaders."

The FPSD also provided an opportunity to share perspectives on regional and global issues of mutual importance, including issues related to the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific region. Cooperation in multilateral fora was also discussed.

In addition to the FPSD, Secretary Kumaran called on ROK Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, where both reaffirmed their mutual commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties. Secretary Kumaran also held separate meetings with Lim Woong-soon, Second Deputy Director of the National Security Office, and Chung Eui-hae, Deputy Minister for Political Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the ROK.

Kumaran's visit to ROK is part of a series of several high-level engagements between the two countries, the MEA stated.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone who follows foreign policy, it's good to see steady engagement beyond just trade. The focus on the Indo-Pacific and security dialogue is crucial for regional stability. The Korean Foreign Minister's personal connection from his ambassadorship is a nice touch.
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Priya S
Green hydrogen and critical minerals! Finally, talks are moving towards future-ready sectors. But I hope these partnerships translate into actual projects and jobs on the ground, not just remain in statements. Our manufacturing needs this tech infusion.
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Rohit P
More cultural exchanges please! Korean pop culture is huge here with K-dramas and K-pop. Would love to see more Indian classical dance, music, and films getting a platform in Korea. People-to-people ties are the real foundation.
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Vikram M
Shipbuilding is a strategic sector. If Korean companies bring in advanced technology and invest in our coastal states, it can revive our maritime industry and create lakhs of jobs. This needs to be followed up aggressively by the states and the centre.
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Nikhil C
While the scope is impressive, I have a respectful critique. We often hear about these wide-ranging dialogues. I'd appreciate more transparency on specific, time-bound goals. What is the tangible outcome we can expect from this 6th dialogue? A joint statement with clear milestones would help.
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Ananya

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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