[Answered] India and South Korea relations can have a long-term positive impact on both countries and the Indo-Pacific region. Do you agree? Provide arguments in support of your answer.

Bilateral relations between India and South Korea were established in 1962. With the convergence of India’s Act East Policy and South Korea’s New Southern Policy, there has been an acceleration of economic and strategic relations between the two countries. South Korea could be the fourth pillar in India’s Indo-Pacific strategy along with Japan, Australia, and Vietnam.

Long-term positive impacts:

• The emerging strategic alignment may create a convergence in new areas of economic cooperation such as public health, green growth, digital connectivity, and trade, among others.
• Advanced defense technologies and modern combat systems are now the new domains for the next level of defense cooperation between the two countries.
• With the strategic shift in South Korea’s defense orientation, new doors of cooperation for defense and security have emerged.
• South Korea’s participation in additional maritime security activities in the Indian Ocean, such as Malabar and other exercises with Quad countries, will further strengthen India’s naval footprint in the Indo-Pacific region.
• South Korea and Japan defense policy coordination could effectively build new joint regional security policies. It would be helpful to address the concerns of both India and South Korea about China’s rise and its electronic presence in India.
• With South Korea’s emergence as a leader in critical technologies, cybersecurity and cyber-capacity building, outer space and space situational awareness capabilities, South Korea can contribute immensely to enhance India’s foundational strengths in the Indo-Pacific.

Challenges:

• In the last few years, India and South Korea have faced serious blockades to their economic ties. Trade between the two countries was sluggish and there was no major inflow of South Korean investment into India.
• India and South Korea have been unsuccessful in upgrading their Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) agreement.
• In 2020, India and South Korea signed a Roadmap for Defense Industries Cooperation. However, due to the lack of political and strategic alignment, nothing came of it.
• India has evolved excellent strategic partnerships with Japan, Vietnam and Australia. Unfortunately, so far, South Korea has not received the same level of attention from the Indian establishment.

Way forward:

• South Korea’s new willingness to become a global pivotal state is bound to create multiple opportunities for a multi-dimensional India- Korea partnership.
• India can help South Korea withstand Chinese pressure and North Korean threats. An independent, strong, and democratic South Korea can add significant value to India’s Indo-Pacific strategy.