India and South Korea on Wednesday moved to broaden their strategic defence partnership, signing a clutch of agreements covering defence cyber cooperation, military training and UN peacekeeping, as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held wide-ranging talks with his South Korean counterpart Ahn Gyu-back in Seoul.
The discussions reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral defence ties and explored avenues to expand collaboration in defence industry, joint production, maritime security, emerging technologies, logistics and regional security, officials said. Both sides reiterated their commitment to a free, open, inclusive and rule-based Indo-Pacific, underlining the growing convergence between India’s Act East Policy and South Korea’s regional strategic vision.
The memoranda of understanding signed include cooperation in defence cyber, institutionalised training between India’s National Defence College and Korea National Defence University, and closer coordination in UN peacekeeping operations, marking a step-up in the scope and depth of defence engagement.
Singh also met senior South Korean officials overseeing defence acquisitions, with the two sides agreeing to pursue joint development, production and exports. Discussions included a roadmap to operationalise the India-Korea Defence Innovation Accelerator (KIND-X) to link the innovation ecosystems of both countries.
Addressing an India-RoK Defence Industry Business Roundtable that brought together government officials and defence firms from both sides, Singh urged South Korean companies to partner Indian industry in advanced manufacturing and technology development. He highlighted India’s expanding defence industrial base and opportunities under the government’s push for indigenous manufacturing.
“Trusted partnerships between technologically capable nations acquire immense strategic importance. India and the Republic of Korea are uniquely positioned to work together in this changing global landscape,” Singh said, pitching for joint development and production of future-ready defence systems by combining Korea’s technological strengths with India’s scale, talent and manufacturing ecosystem.
The minister said modern defence manufacturing now spans areas such as artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, cyber technologies, sensors, semiconductors, quantum technologies and space-based capabilities, making innovation-led collaboration central to future cooperation. He pointed to India’s growing start-up and MSME-driven innovation ecosystem as a strong base for deeper defence ties.
On the sidelines, two agreements were signed between Larsen & Toubro and South Korea’s Hanwha Group entities to enhance industrial cooperation and capacity building, signalling fresh momentum in defence industry partnerships.
Singh also cited India’s rising defence production and export numbers as evidence of progress towards self-reliance, adding that exports are expected to accelerate further in the coming years. The visit marked the final leg of his two-nation tour, during which he also paid homage at the Korean War Cemetery in Seoul, underscoring India’s solidarity with South Korea. |
