Kim Hyun-bin began his journalism career at Arirang TV from 2012 to 2017, specializing in defense, foreign affairs and the economy. In 2018, he joined The Korea Times, covering society and business, and is currently responsible for embassy affairs.
INTERVIEW Indian ambassador reflects on strengthened ties as tenure in Korea concludes
Indian Ambassador to Korea Amit Kumar / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
By Kim Hyun-bin
As Indian Ambassador to Korea Amit Kumar concludes his tenure, he took time to reflect on the progress made in bolstering the India-Korea Special Strategic Partnership and outlined the opportunities that lie ahead.
"As my close to three-year term comes to an end in Korea, with which we enjoy a Special Strategic Partnership, I draw satisfaction from the fact that we moved the needle on several facets of our partnership," Kumar said in a recent written interview with The Korea Times. "These include new dialogue mechanisms, including trilateral dialogues with the U.S. and Japan on technology cooperation and policy planning, and deeper economic and commercial ties encompassing new areas of cooperation."
Kumar highlighted how Korean investments in India exceeded $2 billion over the last two years, with more expected across equities, infrastructure and renewable energy. He also pointed to growing awareness about India in Korea, although he stressed that "both sides need to invest more efforts in promoting better understanding of emerging opportunities in our partnership."
The ambassador underscored the importance of leadership-level engagement, noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Lee Jae Myung have met several times, including at the G7 summit in Canada this June.
"Leadership-level engagement is crucial for the advancement of any bilateral partnership, and we have been fortunate to maintain a robust dialogue with Korea," Kumar said. "These regular exchanges have injected new energy into our endeavors and have helped identify new avenues for cooperation. This year also marks the 10th Anniversary of the Special Strategic Partnership, setting the stage for intensified exchanges."
He cited President Lee’s dispatch of special envoys to India in July, led by former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, and Foreign Minister Cho Hyun’s consultations in New Delhi last month as examples of continued high-level engagement.
On defense and technology cooperation, Kumar pointed to a landmark agreement for the joint production of a second batch of K9 Vajra howitzer artillery units, with additional proposals under discussion.
"India and Korea have made significant strides in deepening cooperation across key areas such as defense, technology and supply chains," he said. "Our countries are enhancing both bilateral and multilateral cooperation to address pressing challenges such as climate change, maritime security, critical minerals, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI)." Kumar also highlighted India’s growing manufacturing capacity and Korea’s role in building supply chains.
He also welcomed Korean participation in India’s upcoming AI Impact Summit in 2026.
Despite global uncertainty, Kumar pointed to India’s resilient $4 trillion economy, projected to grow more than 6 percent this year.
"The fast-growing Indian economy offers several opportunities for Korean businesses in sectors such as manufacturing, construction, logistics, infrastructure and energy," he said. He cited examples including Hyundai Motor's $2.45 billion electric vehicle ecosystem project in India, the POSCO-JSW joint venture on a $6-7 billion integrated steel plant and growing cooperation in green hydrogen, along with a new memorandum of understanding between HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering and Cochin Shipyard Limited on shipbuilding.
Beyond the economy and security, Kumar stressed the importance of cultural and people-to-people ties. "People-to-people connections are essential for breaking down barriers and promoting mutual understanding," he said. He pointed to the annual Sarang Festival as a highlight, alongside collaborations with the Korea Food Promotion Institute and initiatives to open the embassy to Korean citizens. "Our shared heritage of Buddhism as well as yoga, Ayurveda, wellness practices and tourism offers numerous opportunities to bring our people closer together," he added.
Still, the ambassador acknowledged challenges in overcoming outdated perceptions of India.
"There remains a significant gap in the overall understanding of contemporary India among many Koreans. Their perceptions are often shaped by past experiences, which can obscure the reality of India’s current transformation," Kumar noted. "To address this, we encourage our Korean friends to visit India and witness its vibrant dynamism firsthand." He said ongoing efforts with think tanks, business chambers, universities, media and the diaspora aim to bridge this gap.
Kumar identified future opportunities in strategic, economic and technological domains. "The current state of our relations provides a solid foundation to fully realize the growing convergence of interests," he said. "These areas will define the next phase of our partnership and pave the way for a more robust and dynamic relationship between India and Korea."
On a personal note, he expressed deep appreciation for his time in Korea.
"Living and working in Korea has been a very enriching experience for both me and my family," he said. "Visiting Buddhist temples, savoring local cuisine and experiencing traditional Korean culture have been truly memorable. Above all, the warmth and friendliness of Korean friends have made our stay unforgettable."
He emphasized the enduring connection between the two nations, recalling historic ties from Princess Suriratna’s marriage to King Kim Suro to the shared heritage of Buddhism.
"Korea will always hold a special place in our hearts," Kumar concluded. "There are immense opportunities to advance the India-Korea Special Strategic Partnership underpinned by our shared aspiration for peace, prosperity and peoples’ connectivity."