India and South Korea on Tuesday signed MoUs on defence cyber cooperation; training exchanges between India’s National Defence College and the Korea National Defence University; and UN peacekeeping cooperation.
Two agreements were also signed between L&T and South Korea’s Hanwha Co Ltd. Sources said these relate to new technologies and not existing equipment. The two companies already jointly produce the K-9 Vajra tracked self-propelled artillery gun in India.
“The MoUs reflect the expanding scope and depth of the bilateral partnership,” the Ministry of Defence said, describing the outcome of the bilateral meeting Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held with his counterpart Ahn Gyu-back.
The agreements are expected to enhance collaboration between the defence industries of both countries and promote technology cooperation and capacity building, the ministry said.
The two ministers reviewed the entire spectrum of defence cooperation and discussed expanding ties in industry, production, maritime security, emerging technologies, military exchanges, logistics, and regional security.
Both sides acknowledged the growing convergence between India’s Act East Policy and South Korea’s regional strategic vision, reiterating their commitment to strengthen defence ties in line with the shared objective of maintaining a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
In strategic circles, the phrase ‘free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific’ is a euphemism for opposing Chinese hegemony and attempts to impede maritime and air traffic. China has objected in the past to warships in the open waters of the South China Sea.
Rajnath Singh also met South Korea’s Minister of Defense Acquisition Programme Administration, Lee Yong-chul. Both leaders agreed to intensify efforts to create avenues for joint development, joint production, and joint exports.
Later, Rajnath Singh chaired India-South Korea Defence Industry Business Round Table, which brought together senior government officials and leading defence industry representatives from both countries. He said: “Defence manufacturing is no longer confined only to conventional platforms and equipment, but is powered by advanced electronics, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, cyber technologies, sensors, semiconductors, quantum technologies, advanced materials, and space-based capabilities.”
Earlier, the minister laid a wreath at Korean War Cemetery in Seoul to pay homage to the soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice during the Korean War.
