Indian Ambassador Goranglal Das described President Lee Jae-myung's recent state visit to India as a pivotal moment for the two nations, reflecting the deep interest both leaders have in strengthening bilateral relations.
During a press briefing on May 7 at the Indian Embassy in Yongsan, Das stated, "This visit is the result of the special attention that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Lee have given to our relationship."
He emphasized Modi's longstanding respect for South Korea, recalling that during his first press conference as Chief Minister of Gujarat 25 years ago, Modi expressed a desire to model Gujarat after South Korea. "This shows how much attention Modi has paid to India-South Korea relations," Das noted.
Das also highlighted Lee's commitment to India, mentioning that before becoming president, Lee served as the head of the Korea-India Friendship Association in the National Assembly, underscoring the importance he places on India.
The ambassador pointed out that while the two leaders had previously met at the G7 and G20 summits, this state visit allowed for a more in-depth discussion about the future direction of their partnership.
"From India's perspective, South Korea is a like-minded democratic nation and a special strategic partner," Das said, emphasizing the importance of collaboration amid geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, energy uncertainties, and the rise of AI.
He also noted South Korea's role as a key partner in India's 'Make in India' initiative, citing the successes of Samsung and Hyundai in India as examples of significant technological contributions across various sectors, including defense.
Das revealed that India aims to become a developed nation by 2047, the centenary of its independence, and sees South Korea as a crucial partner in achieving this 'Viksit Bharat' vision.
Comprehensive Industrial Cooperation from Shipbuilding to AI
Das identified key areas for cooperation, including shipbuilding, semiconductors, AI, energy, steel, critical minerals, creative industries, and startups. He explained that India is prioritizing South Korea as it advances its maritime industry under the 'Maritime Amrit Kaal' vision. In semiconductors and AI, he highlighted the potential synergy between India's workforce and data and South Korea's semiconductor leadership.
In the energy sector, India aims to achieve 100 gigawatts of nuclear power by 2047 and sees significant collaboration opportunities in green ammonia and green hydrogen supply. Das mentioned that India targets a steel production capacity of 500 million tons by 2047, and South Korea's advanced steel manufacturing technology could aid in India's self-sufficiency.
During the state visit, the two leaders reportedly met for over five hours. They also commemorated their ancient ties with a tree planting ceremony, referencing a legend about an Indian princess from Ayodhya who married King Suro of Korea around 2,000 years ago. The planted tree will eventually be moved to a memorial park for the princess in Ayodhya.
In the economic sphere, President Lee attended a business summit with around 800 participants, while Modi expanded a planned casual lunch into a working lunch with South Korean business leaders.
Achievements in corporate collaboration included the establishment of a steel joint venture between POSCO and India's JSW, as well as Hyundai's cooperation in setting up a greenfield shipyard in India. Additional events included a financial cooperation forum, Bengaluru Space Day, and a venture, startup, employment, and entrepreneurship fair held alongside the summit.
Das noted that four political documents were adopted during the visit, covering overall strategic vision as well as agreements in maritime, sustainability, and energy sectors. He quoted Modi, stating that the scope of cooperation has expanded "from chips to ships, talent to technology, and environment to energy."
In response to questions, Das discussed expanding opportunities for South Korean companies in India, noting that fewer than 700 South Korean firms currently operate there. He mentioned President Lee's ambition to increase this number tenfold and highlighted discussions about creating a dedicated industrial zone for South Korean SMEs.
Regarding energy cooperation, Das explained that both countries rely heavily on hydrocarbons from West Asia, making them vulnerable to supply chain disruptions. He expressed India's goal of becoming a more stable supplier of naphtha to South Korea, emphasizing the need for long-term contracts to enhance predictability. However, he clarified that sourcing and resale issues should be determined by companies, not governments.
Das also mentioned interest in attracting significant Korean investments to the Indian stock market, citing examples of major Korean companies listing in India.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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