NewsGate Press Network

India and South Korea renewed their long term strategic partnership on Monday the 20th of April 2026 in New Delhi after PM Modi held high level meeting with President Lee Jae-myung.

The South Korean leader is in India on a three-day state visit aimed at deepening the India-South Korea ‘Special Strategic Partnership’..

“Korea is an important technology partner. Semiconductors and shipbuilding will be discussed,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

The visit comes at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is expected to deepen the two countries’ Special Strategic Partnership, with shipbuilding, semiconductors, artificial intelligence and defence cooperation topping the agenda.

Shipbuilding is set to feature prominently. India is keen to leverage South Korea’s leading expertise in the sector, particularly as disruptions to global shipping routes have underscored the need for stronger maritime supply chains.

Earlier in the day, President Lee, accompanied by First Lady Kim Hae-kyung, paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi’s samadhi at the Rajghat.

Before his visit to the Rajghat, the South Korean leader was accorded a ceremonial welcome by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi, with a ceremonial reception highlighting the importance of the visit.

At the end of the formal delegation level meeting a list of 15 outcomes was agreed upon that included a Joint Strategic Vision for Special Strategic Partnership, Comprehensive Framework for Partnership in Shipbuilding, Shipping and Maritime Logistics, Joint Statement on Cooperation in Field of Sustainability and Joint Statement on Energy Resource Security.

India and South Korea also announced the launch of Economic Security Dialogue, establishment of Distinguished Visitors Programme (DVP) and launch of dialogue between the two Foreign Ministries on Global Themes, including Climate Change, Arctic, and Maritime Cooperation.

South Korea announced joining Indo Pacific Oceans Initiative and joining the International Solar Alliance.

India will join the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI).

The two countries decided to commemorate 2028-29 as Year of India-ROK Friendship

The MOUs and frameworks included Cooperation in the Field of Ports, Establishment of the Industrial Cooperation Committee, Cooperation in the Field of Technology and Trade for Steel Supply Chain, Cooperation in the Field of Small and Medium sized Enterprises, Cooperation in the Field of Maritime Heritage and Joint Declaration on Resuming the Negotiations to upgrade the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between India and South Korea.

At a special briefing, MEA Secretary (East) P Kumaran informed media persons about the growth in defence ties between the two countries.

He said India is also looking at co-development and technology transfer. “Korea supplies K9 Vajra systems, anti-aircraft systems. There are already two phases of supplies that have happened. We’re looking at the third phase, which involves a greater technology transfer. We’re also looking at other kinds of anti-aircraft guns and missile systems. We are also looking at co-development and technology transfer, code design, et cetera, of new generation defence systems.

“We are also looking at collaborating in terms of procurement of more kinds of defence hardware, telecom equipment, cyber security,” he said.

Answering a query on geopolitical tensions, Kumaran said there was a general discussion in the sense of the upheaval caused by geopolitical contestations, conflicts, both in Ukraine, Russia and in the Gulf region.

Answering a query on India-Korea comprehensive framework for partnership in shipbuilding, shipping & maritime logistics, Kumaran said several initiatives have been taken as a part of this at the level of industries too.

“One includes a non-binding MOU between the Korean shipbuilder HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), the identified cluster developer and facilitator… Overall the emphasis is on upgrading existing shipyards, including developing block fabrication facilities and setting up a new dry dock to construct large and specialised vessels… We are also looking at financing and skill training,” he said.