SEOUL, January 24 (AJP) - A warm glow lit up Sebit Island, an iconic venue on the Han River, as the Indian Embassy in the Republic of Korea hosted a grand celebration on January 23 to honor India’s Republic Day. The venue was adorned with tricolor decorations symbolizing the Indian flag, while the serene waters of the Han River reflected the festive lights.
Guests from diverse backgrounds—foreign diplomats, business leaders, academics, and cultural figures—gathered to celebrate this important milestone in India’s journey as a sovereign republic. H.E. Amit Kumar, the Ambassador of India to the Republic of Korea, welcomed the 400 attendees, including prominent Korean figures, with a speech that emphasized friendship, shared history, and future cooperation between the two nations.
In his address, Ambassador Kumar underscored the shared history and growing partnership between India and Korea. "Bilaterally, the India-RoK partnership, anchored in two millennia-old bonds of kinship and shared heritage of Buddhism, has steadily expanded. This year marks the tenth anniversary of our Special Strategic Partnership," he said.
He expressed optimism about the growing collaboration between the two nations, stating, "India and the Republic of Korea, as two resilient democracies and leading economies, with shared values and interests, are poised for greater engagement."
Highlighting India’s remarkable economic progress, Ambassador Kumar said, "Nearing $4 trillion, the Indian economy today is the fifth largest and on track to be the third largest within the next five years. Post-COVID, we have grown at an impressive average rate of 7 percent. This is a consequence of niyat, niti, and nishtha—intent, policy, and commitment on part of the government."
He emphasized the opportunities for Korean businesses to deepen their ties with India, citing examples from 2024. "There has been continued strong interest from the Korean business community to partner with us in our economic growth. Their confidence in and commitment to the Indian economy is best exemplified by the Korea Investment Corporation opening its office in Mumbai, Hyundai Motors’ $3.3 billion public listing in India—their only listing outside Korea—and the announcement by POSCO and JSW to build a five million-ton annual capacity integrated steel plant in India."
The ambassador also pointed to key areas for collaboration, saying, "Defence industry, shipbuilding, green hydrogen, electronics, and digital transformation have emerged as promising areas for deeper cooperation."
He concluded with a focus on the growing Indian community in Korea, which he described as "a vital link in taking forward our bilateral relations on various fronts. As per the latest figures, the number has almost tripled over the past seven years to around 17,500 people today."
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