Prime Highlights:
- India and ROK will institutionalise annual summit-level meetings to sustain partnership momentum.
- Both countries will expand cooperation in critical minerals, AI, and climate-focused projects.
Key Facts:
- A new India-ROK Industrial Cooperation Committee will boost manufacturing and industry collaboration.
- The Cultural Exchange Programme has been extended till 2030, with 2028-29 declared as the Year of Friendship.
Background:
India and the Republic of Korea (ROK) have outlined a broad roadmap to strengthen their Special Strategic Partnership after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Lee Jae Myung. The two leaders focused on deeper political ties, sustainable development, cultural exchange, and global cooperation.
It was agreed that there would be summits held every year either bilaterally or when attending global events. Both sides also planned to increase ministerial engagements, including meetings led by foreign and finance ministers and cooperation in science and technology later this year.
On defence, the leaders highlighted growing cooperation and noted that India’s Defence Minister will visit South Korea in May for the inauguration of a war memorial linked to India’s role in the Korean War. They also launched a new Industrial Cooperation Committee to boost manufacturing ties.
This collaboration would then move towards sustainable development, where the two nations collaborate on issues of energy security, critical minerals, and logistics. Collaboration also intends to use artificial intelligence to find minerals and promote e-waste recycling. They also committed to addressing climate change through investment-led projects under global frameworks.
Cultural and educational ties will also grow. The two countries extended their Cultural Exchange Programme until 2030 and will mark 2028-29 as the Year of Friendship. They will promote cooperation in films, animation, sports, and student exchanges, especially in STEM and artificial intelligence.
At the global level, both nations supported a rules-based order, peaceful conflict resolution, and reforms in the United Nations.
