India's Act East Policy has gradually expanded from economic engagement to strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific. Examine the significance of India-South Korea defence coopera

GS2 Bilateral Relations
India's Act East Policy has gradually expanded from economic engagement to strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific. Examine the significance of India-South Korea defence cooperation in this context and the shared security interests that can deepen this bilateral relationship.

Examine

  • 15 marks
  • 8 min
  • 250 words
  • Medium

The Hindu

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Introduction

India’s Act East Policy, launched in 2014 as an upgrade to the Look East Policy, has evolved from a predominantly economic initiative into a comprehensive strategic framework for the Indo-Pacific. In this context, India–South Korea relations have acquired greater strategic significance, particularly in defence cooperation, maritime security and technological collaboration amid shifting regional geopolitics.

Significance of India–South Korea Defence Cooperation

Indo-Pacific Strategic Convergence

  • Both countries support a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
  • Shared concerns regarding aggressive regional posturing and supply-chain vulnerabilities have increased strategic coordination.

Defence Industrial Cooperation

  • South Korea has emerged as an important defence technology partner for India.

  • Collaboration includes:

    • K9 Vajra-T howitzers manufactured with technology transfer.
    • Shipbuilding and naval systems cooperation.

  • Supports India’s:

    • Atmanirbhar Bharat
    • Defence indigenisation goals.

Maritime Security

  • Both nations depend heavily on secure Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) for trade and energy imports.
  • Cooperation in anti-piracy, maritime domain awareness and naval exercises strengthens regional stability.

Technology and Cybersecurity

  • South Korea’s strengths in electronics, semiconductors and AI complement India’s digital and defence ecosystem.
  • Strategic technology partnerships can reduce dependence on vulnerable supply chains.

Shared Security Interests

Balancing Regional Instability

  • India and South Korea share concerns over:

    • North Korean nuclear proliferation
    • Militarisation in the Indo-Pacific
    • Coercive maritime behaviour.

Supply Chain Resilience

  • Both seek diversification away from overdependence on single-country manufacturing networks.

  • Cooperation under frameworks like:

    • Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF)
    • Quad-related supply-chain initiatives can strengthen economic security.

Counterterrorism and Cybersecurity

  • Growing cyber threats and transnational security challenges require intelligence sharing and joint capacity building.

Energy and Critical Technologies

  • Cooperation in green hydrogen, batteries and critical minerals aligns with long-term strategic resilience.

Challenges

  • South Korea’s economic dependence on China limits strategic assertiveness.
  • Limited military interoperability and institutional defence engagement compared to India’s ties with Japan or the US.

Way Forward

  • Expand joint naval exercises and defence dialogues.
  • Promote co-development and co-production in defence manufacturing.
  • Institutionalise semiconductor and critical technology partnerships.
  • Enhance trilateral cooperation involving ASEAN and Indo-Pacific partners.

Conclusion

India–South Korea defence cooperation reflects the strategic evolution of India’s Act East Policy into a broader Indo-Pacific engagement. Shared interests in maritime security, resilient supply chains and technological cooperation provide a strong foundation for a deeper and more comprehensive strategic partnership in the emerging Asian security architecture.