• UGI USER
  • Jan 03, 2024
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REIGNITING THE FLAME OF INDIA-KOREA DEFENCE COOPERATION

Syllabus

  • GS2: India and its Neighborhood- Relations.

Why in the News?

  • Recently, General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff of India, visited the Republic of Korea, marking a crucial juncture in India-Korea defence relations.
  • His diplomatic overture aimed to strengthen ties, addressing challenges and exploring opportunities for mutual growth in defence cooperation.
Source: keia.org

Strengthening Ties between India and Korea: A Key Diplomatic Move

  • In November 2023, General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff of India, visited the Republic of Korea, highlighting the importance of defence collaboration for global peace.
  • The visit bolstered diplomatic ties but also revealed challenges.

Challenges Faced

  • Absence of a Shared Vision: Both nations lack a comprehensive defence framework, hindering aligned policies.
  • Perception of India’s Role: Korea needs to recognize India’s regional power beyond being a defence product consumer.

Opportunities for Growth

  • Technological Collaborations: India and Korea can innovate together in advanced defence systems.
  • Counterterrorism Efforts: Collaborative efforts against terrorism, joint maritime security, and peacekeeping operations.

Moving Beyond Bilateral Ties

  • Both nations need to go beyond simple cooperation.
  • It’s time to shift perspectives and deepen their understanding of their roles in the fast-changing global landscape.
  • This calls for a significant change in mindset.

Korean Perception of India’s Role

Hurdle in Recognizing India’s Role

  • The Korean government struggles to recognize India’s regional importance, perceiving it mainly as a defense product consumer rather than a contributor to Indo-Pacific peace.
  • Limited historical interaction and South Korea’s focus on North Korea and its alliance with the US contribute to this.
  • Additionally, South Korea’s cautious balancing act between the US and China may hinder embracing strong ties with India, seen as a potential competitor to China.

Breaking Cold War Mentality

  • Korea needs to move past Cold War-era thinking, where India was seen in opposition to the Soviet bloc.
  • Shifting this mindset is crucial for fostering a deeper and more meaningful partnership with India.

Strategic Oversights in Defence Partnership

Limited Focus on Strategic Goals

  • India’s emphasis on weapon acquisition and technology transfer from Korea, though crucial, has overshadowed broader strategic considerations.
  • Similarly, Korea’s defence focus on profit-driven weapons sales to India lacks strategic depth, potentially hindering collaboration amid evolving geopolitics.

Challenge from Emerging Coalition

  • The alliance of North Korea, China, and Russia presents a significant challenge to India-Korea collaboration.
  • Divergent stances within this coalition may necessitate a careful evaluation of strategic imperatives for both nations.

Anticipated Unity through High-Level Engagements

  • Pande’s interactions with Korean military leadership, including Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and Agency of Defence Development (ADD), are expected to enhance unity.
  • These engagements aim to strengthen defence communities and foster a more cohesive collaboration between India and Korea.

Technological Collaboration for Defence Advancement

Unleashing Technological Synergy

  • India and South Korea are strategically aligning to co-develop advanced defence systems, tapping into their technological prowess.
  • Recognizing the critical role of technology in future conflicts, this collaboration opens limitless possibilities, fostering innovation and self-reliance in defence capabilities.
 Source: WorldAtlas.com

Addressing Evolving Threats

  • In an era dominated by threats like space warfare, information warfare, and cybersecurity challenges, both nations are poised to explore cooperation avenues.
  • Leveraging Korea’s digital prowess, they can develop robust security measures, countering emerging threats in the digital domain and safeguarding critical infrastructure and information.

Unified Counterterrorism Efforts

  • India and South Korea share common concerns about terrorism, presenting an opportunity for strengthened collaboration.
  • Exploring joint initiatives in maritime security, including coordinated patrols and information sharing in the Indian Ocean, aligns with their substantial maritime interests.
  • This collaboration aims to enhance regional security and stability.

Peacekeeping and Collaborative Exercises

UN Peacekeeping Synergy

  • India and South Korea, with rich UN peacekeeping experience, can amplify collaboration.
  • Sharing insights and resources in peacekeeping operations will not only enhance regional stability but also reaffirm their joint commitment to global peace and security.

Joint Exercises for Preparedness

  • Engaging in joint military exercises and sharing best practices in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) reflect their shared responsibility in addressing natural disasters.
  • This collaborative approach strengthens preparedness and responsiveness in times of crisis.

Expanding Cooperation Across Armed Forces

  • General Pande’s visit has catalyzed an expansion of collaboration beyond naval focus, fostering interoperability and enhancing the capabilities of both nations’ armed forces.

Navigating the Future: Strengthening India-Korea Ties

Recent Revitalization

  • Pande’s recent visit sparks a renewed commitment to India-Korea defence cooperation, offering fresh prospects for collaboration.

Strategic Approach Needed

  • To overcome challenges and seize opportunities, a strategic and balanced approach is vital.
  • Meticulous navigation and adaptability to the evolving geopolitical landscape will be key to fostering robust and enduring defence collaboration.

Building Resilient Partnership

  • United, both nations are poised to navigate future complexities, fostering peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
  • This collaborative journey aims at creating a stronger and more resilient partnership.
India South Korea Relations

Diplomatic Milestones

·    India and the Republic of Korea established diplomatic relations in 1973, building on consular relations formed in 1962.

·    Their partnership evolved into a “Strategic Partnership” in 2010 and was elevated to a “Special Strategic Partnership” in 2015 during PM Modi’s visit to Seoul.

Historical Ties

·    The 13th-century Korean text “Samguk Yusa” highlights the historical connection between India and Korea.

·    Princess Suriratna from Ayodhya married King Kim-Suro in 48 AD, shaping Korean ancestry.

·    India’s role in the Korean War, with UN leadership by Indian diplomat K P S Menon and military contributions, including medical aid and peacekeeping forces, solidified bilateral ties.

·    Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore celebrated Korea’s past in his 1929 poem “Lamp of the East,” fondly remembered in Korean textbooks.

Trade Milestones

·    As of September 2023, India’s imports totalled US$ 18.8 billion, with exports at US$ 9 billion.

·    Key exports from India include mineral, fuels, cereals, and iron/steel.

·    Korea primarily exports automobile parts, telecommunication equipment, and petroleum products.

Cultural Hubs

·    The Swami Vivekananda Culture Centre (SVCC), established in 2011, and the India Centre at Busan University foster cultural ties.

·    SARANG, an annual festival since 2015, showcases India’s rich art and music across South Korea.

·    Marking Gandhi’s 150th anniversary, a Korea-India Peace Park and 150 trees were inaugurated in Seoul.

India-ROK Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)

·    India and the Republic of Korea (ROK) inked the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in Seoul on August 7, 2009, marking a new era of enhanced economic collaboration.

·    After twelve rounds of negotiations spanning over three years, CEPA officially commenced on January 1, 2010.

Objectives

·    The agreement commits both nations to progressively reduce or eliminate import tariffs on a broad spectrum of goods over the next decade.

·    Additionally, it seeks to foster investment opportunities and facilitate the exchange of services.

Tariff Reduction

·    ROK plans to phase out or decrease tariffs on 90% of Indian goods, while India reciprocates by doing so for 85% of Korean goods.

Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR)

·    HADR encompasses global initiatives to aid individuals affected by natural calamities and human-made crises.

·    Key interventions include emergency relief, infrastructure restoration, livelihood recovery, and disaster risk reduction.

Crucial Actors

·    National Governments: Hold primary responsibility for citizens’ HADR.

·    International Organizations: e.g., UN, Red Cross, providing coordination and expertise.

·    NGOs: Deliver on-ground services, including food and medical assistance.

·    Military Forces: Contribute to operations through logistics, transportation, and engineering support.

Recent Operations

·    Turkey-Syria Earthquake (February 2023): Extensive global HADR efforts ongoing.

·    War in Ukraine: Addressing the humanitarian fallout with a focus on essential needs.

 

Source

 

Mains Practice Question

Discuss the key challenges hindering the enhancement of defence cooperation between India and Korea, emphasizing the need for a shared strategic vision.