India and South Korea on Wednesday signed agreements to advance cooperation in areas such as cyber defence, training and UN peacekeeping operations, during talks between Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and his Korean counterpart Ahn Gyu-bak in Seoul.
The two leaders also discussed steps to deepen cooperation in areas such as defense production, maritime security, emerging technologies, military exchanges, logistics and regional security, the Defense Ministry said. “Both sides acknowledged the growing convergence between India’s East Policy and South Korea’s regional strategic vision, and reiterated their commitment to strengthening defense ties in line with the shared goals of maintaining a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific region,” the statement said.
Challenges in the Indo-Pacific region include China’s carefully calculated exercise of force for influence and defense of the rules-based international order. India has consistently called for peaceful resolution of disputes in the vast maritime region through dialogue and within the framework of international laws.
The Ministry of Defense said that the memorandums of understanding signed to enhance cooperation in the field of cyber defense, training and UN operations reflect the expansion of the scope and depth of the bilateral partnership. The training agreement covers cooperation between the Indian National Defense College and the Korean National Defense University.
Singh, who arrived in Seoul on Tuesday for a two-day visit, also held talks with Lee Young-cheol, Minister of the Korea Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). “The two leaders agreed to harness their symbiotic efforts to create avenues for joint development, production and export (of military equipment). A roadmap to unlock the potential of the India-Korea defense innovation acceleration ecosystem was discussed to synergize the innovation ecosystems of the two countries,” the Defense Ministry added.
Later, Singh chaired the India-South Korea Defense Industry Business Roundtable, which included senior government officials and prominent defense industry representatives from both countries. He added that the interaction provides an important platform to explore new opportunities in defense manufacturing, joint development, joint production of military equipment and supply chain partnerships.
Singh called on South Korean defense companies to deepen engagement with Indian industry and enhance mutually beneficial cooperation in the long term.
He said that the success of industrial cooperation between India and South Korea in the commercial sector shows the huge potential for long-term reliable partnerships between the two countries. “Now is the time to extend this successful model to the defense sector, where technology, innovation, manufacturing capacity and strategic confidence are increasingly interconnected. Korea’s technological superiority, coupled with India’s scale, talent, manufacturing ecosystem and innovation capabilities, creates a strong foundation for cooperation. Together, our two countries can develop and produce advanced technologies and defense systems for the future. Trusted partnerships between countries with technological capabilities are of enormous strategic importance. India and South Korea are uniquely positioned to work together in this changing global landscape.”
Singh said that defense manufacturing is no longer limited only to traditional platforms and equipment, as modern defense ecosystems are supported by advanced electronics, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, cyber technologies, sensors, semiconductors, quantum technologies, advanced materials and space capabilities.
He said the future of defense will increasingly depend on the ability to rapidly innovate and integrate technologies across multiple domains.
He described Operation Sindoor as a testimony of India becoming a strong, confident and capable nation. “This operation was proof that India will not tolerate terrorism in any form. As a responsible nuclear power, we strictly adhere to the ‘No First Use’ policy. However, there are times when people mistake our restraint and commitment to peace for weakness. While India remains committed to the ‘No First Use’ policy, it will not tolerate any form of nuclear blackmail. This is the new India.”
