S. Korea, India seek to bolster Indo-Pacific focused strategic partnership

President Yoon Suk Yeol listens as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during their summit at a hotel in Hiroshima, Japan, Saturday. Yonhap

By Nam Hyun-woo

HIROSHIMA, Japan ― President Yoon Suk Yeol and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a summit on the sidelines of the Group of Seven Summit in Hiroshima, Japan, Saturday, and agreed to develop the two countries' special strategic partnership, as well as aligning their strategies for the Indo-Pacific region.

The summit was held on the occasion of the two countries celebrating the 50th anniversary of forming bilateral ties.

Yoon expressed gratitude for the prime minister's appearance at the Second Summit for Democracy, which was co-hosted online by South Korea and the United States in March, and proposed South Korea and India jointly cope with regional and international challenges.

Modi responded that the two countries should strengthen their strategic communication and cooperation.

At the top of their agenda was bilateral economic cooperation in defense, digital technology, bio healthcare, space and other advanced technologies.

Currently, the Indian army is operating the K9 Vajra-T self-propelled howitzer, which is based on technology transferred from South Korea's Hanwha Defense on its K9 Thunder. The 100th gun was delivered to the Indian army in February 2021, based on a contract signed in May 2017.

Recently, Indian news outlets reported that the defense ministry has started the process for the procurement of 100 more K9-Vajra, raising hopes for the two countries' expanded defense cooperation.

Indian manufacturers are seeking South Korean investments and such deals could be a solution for Seoul's long-standing concern of lowering its reliance on Chinese manufacturers. Modi invited Yoon to New Delhi during last year's Group of 20 Summit.

Yoon also noted that the South Korea-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which is a free trade pact between the two countries, should be upgraded for the next 50 years of bilateral ties.

According to presidential spokesperson Lee Do-woon, the leaders agreed that the two countries should seek harmony between Seoul's Indo-Pacific strategy and India's Act East Policy for peace and stability in the region.

The Act East Policy is aimed at promoting India's economic, strategic and cultural relations with the vast Asia-Pacific region to bolster its influence there. Through the policy, India seeks to be a counterweight to China's presence in the region.

The leaders also agreed to continue their discussions at the G20 Summit in India in September.