SEOUL, January 27 (AJP) - The Indian Embassy in South Korea held a reception on January 26 to celebrate India's 76th Republic Day, marking a period of rapid expansion in economic and defense ties between the two nations. The event, held at Sevit Island on the Han River, drew approximately 400 guests, including diplomats, government officials, business leaders, and academics.
The gathering commemorated the anniversary of the adoption of India's constitution in 1950, a milestone that Indian Ambassador Gourangalal Das described as a "pledge to democracy" that continues to shape the country's trajectory.
In his keynote address, Ambassador Das detailed India's recent structural reforms and technological progress, arguing that the nation's shift toward high-tech manufacturing offers significant opportunities for South Korean partners.
"The enterprises transformed seamlessly from digital to the AI, from three nanometer chips designed in Bangalore to the world's heaviest rocket ever launched," Das said. He noted that the "special strategic partnership" between the two countries has intensified over the past year, supported by two summit-level meetings and frequent interactions between foreign ministers.
The ambassador highlighted the recent success of major South Korean corporations in India as evidence of this momentum. He specifically mentioned the successful Indian market activities of LG Electronics, Daewoo Securities' expansion, and Mirae Asset's milestone as the only wholly-owned foreign asset management firm among India's top ten.
"Hyundai Motor's newly planned investments and Posco's new ambitions in India—they all made headlines in both countries," Das said. He also noted that the Indian government is providing specific incentives for South Korean companies to collaborate in the semiconductor and shipbuilding sectors.
The event also underscored the strengthening of security ties. Lim Sang-woo, the Ambassador for Public Diplomacy at the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivered a congratulatory speech reflecting on the growing trust between the two countries. Ambassador Lim, who recently returned to Seoul after a three-year posting in India, said the defense partnership has evolved beyond traditional sales into deep technological collaboration.
"The agreement on a second batch of K9 Vajra self-propelled howitzers speaks to the depth of our defense collaboration," Lim said. He added that the South Korean Defense Ministry is "ready to deliver world-class systems" to India on schedule.
Both speakers pointed to the first-ever bilateral joint naval exercises, held last October, as a critical foundation for stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Engagement between the two capitals is set to increase in 2026.
Ambassador Lim confirmed that President Lee Jae Myung is planning a visit to India later this year to advance the partnership into its second decade. Ambassador Das noted that the human element of the relationship remains a priority, citing the recent opening of the Korea Education Center in India as a "living embodiment" of the cultural ties between the two societies.
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