India-RoK relations have made great strides in recent years and have become truly multidimensional, spurred by a significant convergence of interests, mutual goodwill and high level exchanges. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh paid an official visit to Seoul from 24-27 March 2012, both for bilateral and Nuclear Security Summits, which led to the deepening of bilateral strategic partnership that was forged during the State visit to India of President Lee Myung-bak. An agreement on visa simplification was signed on 25 March 2012 in the presence of the two leaders at the Blue House. A Joint Statement was also issued during PM's visit. PM had last visited Seoul from November 10-12, 2010 for the G20 Summit.
2. Earlier President Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil came on a State Visit to RoK from 24-27 July, 2011 during which the Civil Nuclear Energy Cooperation Agreement was signed. President Lee's visit to India, when he was also the Chief Guest at India's Republic Day celebrations on 26 January 2010, is regarded as an important landmark in bilateral relations. His visit followed an equally successful State Visit to RoK by President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, in February 2006 that heralded a new vibrant phase in India-RoK relations. It interalia led to the launch of a Joint Task Force to conclude a bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which was signed by Minister for Commerce and Industry Shri Anand Sharma at Seoul on August 7, 2009.
3. CEPA came into force on 1st January, 2010. Rapidly expanding trade and investment flows lie at the core of the bilateral cooperation. Bilateral trade in 2011 crossed $ 20.5 billion registering a 70% growth over a two year period. A revised trade target of $ 40 billion by 2015 was established by PM Dr. Singh and President Lee on 25 March 2012.
4. Historical and cultural contacts between the two peoples date back to ancient times. According to "SamgukYusa" or "The Heritage History of the Three Kingdoms" written in the 13th century, a Princess from Ayodhya (Suriratna) came to Korea and married King Kim-Suro to became Queen Hur Hwang-ok in the year 48 AD [the First Lady Mrs. Kim Yoon-ok, former President Kim Dae-jung, former President Kim Young-sam and former PM Kim Jong-pil, inter alia, claim this ancestry]. The enduring philosophy of the Buddha, which has influenced the lives and thoughts of the people of the two countries, also provides a strong link.
5. The rationale for a close relationship between India and RoK has been reinforced in modern times by political and economic imperatives. Experience of colonial rule and the anti-colonial movements in both countries, revived interest in each other. Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore composed a short but evocative poem – 'Lamp of the East' - in 1929 about Korea's glorious past and its promising bright future. He wrote:
"In the golden age of Asia
Korea was one of its lamp bearers,
And that lamp is waiting to be lit once again
For the illumination of the East."
6. India played an important and positive role in Korean affairs after the end of Japanese colonial rule in 1945. India was the Chairman of the 9-member UN Commission set up in 1947 to hold elections in Korea. The successful general elections held for the first time in the South in 1948, led to the establishment of the Republic of Korea on 15th August 1948. During the Korean War (1950-53), both the warring sides accepted a resolution sponsored by India, and the ceasefire was declared on 27 July 1953. India contributed a medical unit, including 60 Para Field Ambulances, to the UN multinational force during the war. Also, India, in its capacity as the Chairman of the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission [NNRC], contributed to resolving the humanitarian issues arising out of the War, which won her appreciation from all quarters.
7. India and RoK established consular relations in 1962. In 1973, relations were upgraded to Ambassador-level (also with Pyongyang). In the post-cold war era, South Korean popular quest for democracy, which was introduced in 1987, created a natural affinity between our countries. In course of time, RoK's open market policies found resonance with India's economic liberalization and 'Look East Policy'. Consistent Indian support for peaceful reunification of the two Koreas has been well received in this country.
8. Major Korean conglomerates (Chaebols) such as Samsung, Hyundai Motors and LG have made significant investments into India, estimated at $2.5 billion, till March 2012. Indian investments in ROK have already exceeded $ 1 billion. Novelis, a Hindalco subsidiary, acquired a Korean aluminum company by investing about $ 600 million. Mahindra & Mahindra acquired a majority stake in SsangYong Motors, the country's 4th largest auto manufacturer, in March 2011, with an investment of about $470 million. Tata Motors acquired Daewoo Commercial Vehicle Company for $ 102 million in March 2004. Other Indian companies present in India include IT majors, Indian Overseas Bank etc.
9. India-RoK Joint Commission for bilateral cooperation was established in February 1996, which is chaired by the External Affairs Minister (EAM) and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade from the Korean side. So far, six meetings of the Joint Commission have been held, the last one in June 2010 in Seoul. The next meeting is expected to take place in New Delhi later this year. The two countries have also established a Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue (FPSD) at Secretary (Vice-Ministerial) level, which last met at New Delhi on 28 June 2012.
10. Defence Minister Shri A.K. Anthony visited RoK in September 2010. MoUs on Defence Cooperation, as well as, between Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India and Defence Acquisition Programme Administration (DAPA) of RoK for cooperation in R&D were signed. Korean Minister of Defence is scheduled to visit India later this year, following that of his predecessor Mr. Kim Jung-soo in May 2007.
11. An Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) was established in RoK in April 2011. Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has deputed Indian Yoga and Kathak instructors, who hold classes regularly. Exhibitions and performances are arranged periodically by ICC, which are received very well across RoK. A Festival of India in Korea was held from June 2011 to March 2012. It was inaugurated by Dr. Karan Singh, President of ICCR on 30 June 2011. Gurudev Tagore's 150th Birth Anniversary was celebrated in 2011-12 in collaboration with the Tagore Society of Korea and Korea Foundation. A bust of Tagore was unveiled in Seoul in May 2011 by Speaker of the Lok Sabha Smt. Meira Kumar.
12. Good air connectivity between the two countries has been established with Air India, Asiana Airlines and Korean Air operating flights. Close to 100,000 Korean nationals visited India in 2010. Over 81,000 visas were issued in 2011 by the Mission.
13. Indian Community in RoK is estimated at 7500, which includes businessmen, IT professionals, scientists, research fellows, students and workers. There are about 150 businessmen dealing mainly in textiles and gems and jewellery.
14. Educational and People to people ties: India and Korea attach great importance to education and Human Resource Development. This sector is emerging as one of the thrust areas of cooperation. Presently, around 2500 Koreans including 1500 school children are studying English, IT and Management in India. Around 900 Indian scholars are pursuing post-graduate and Ph. D programmes, mostly in pure sciences in Korea. A number of Indian teachers / professors are now working in different Korean educational institutions and universities in ROK. Many of our educational institutions and think tanks have established institutional cooperation agreements which include:
- FSI and Korea National Diplomatic Academy (KNDA) signed a MoU of Cooperation in March 2012 during the visit of Prime Minister of India to Seoul. For the first time ever, ten IFS probationers from the 2011 batch visited RoK in July 2012 and had an interaction with KNDA, as well as, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade during their familiarization tour.
- Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Delhi University (DU) offer programmes in Korea Studies and Korean Language Courses respectively. Madras University has also opened a Department of Korean Studies encouraged by the sizeable presence of Koreans including Hyundai Motors in Tamil Nadu.
- JNU has signed MoUs of cooperation with several universities in Korea including Yonsei University, Korea University, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies and Pusan University of Foreign Studies. Delhi University also has an understanding with Korea University.
- Two South Korean Universities viz. Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul, and Pusan University of Foreign Studies in Busan also have Indian Studies Departments.
- Seoul Forum for International Affairs (SFIA) and Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) have been jointly organizing the India-Korea Dialogue that makes recommendations on policies and practical measures to strengthen the bilateral partnership to the two governments. The 10th Dialogue was held in Chennai in November 2011.
- Korean Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST) signed MoUs with IIM, ISB and IIT. IIM, Bangalore has been sending its students to KAIST on study tour since 2010, including for Executive Development Programmes.
- 'India Fortune' has been organizing 'India Advanced Management Programme' for MPs, senior Korean officials, and CEOs covering Indian economy, corporate environment and Indian culture. The participants are always taken to India on a familiarization tour. This is a private business promotion initiative by a Korean scholar Dr. Oh Hwaseok. The 2011 edition of the Programme had 40 participants. The 2012 edition beginning on 23rd August would also have a similar number of Korean officials, CEOs and executives.
- Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussorie has established an institutional partnership with Korea Development Institute (KDI) School of Public Policy & Management. Since 2010, seven batches of IAS officers have come to Korea for a two week study tour as part of their mid-career or advanced training.
- Exchange of youth delegations between India and RoK has been taking place on an annual basis for several years now. The nodal Ministries on the two sides are: Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, India and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, RoK.
- A MoU between ICCR and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) was signed in August 2009 to establish an Indian Chair on Indian Economics in HUFS. ICCR has since then been deputing a visiting Indian professor as the Chair in Contemporary Indian Studies.
- Government of India offers scholarships and fellowships to meritorious Korean nationals every year to study in India in recognized Indian universities/educational institutions. These scholarships are available for various programmes and disciplines covering research work and non-formal courses (Religion, Classical Music, Dance and Crafts). http://www.iccrindia.org/scholarships/terms.htm
- Ayush Scholarship Scheme facilitates courses in Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Yoga and Homeopathy, while some Korean students are also learning Hindi language at the Kendriya Hindi Sansthan, Agra. (www.hindisansthan.org & http://www.indianmedicine.nic.in/index2.asp?slid=622&sublinkid=220&lang=1)
- ROK Government Scholarship: RoK Government also offers scholarships to Indian nationals each year to study Korean Language and Literature at Masters and PhD level at select Korean Universities. Notification is normally issued on the website of the Ministry of HRD around the month of February. http://proposal.sakshat.ac.in/scholarship/
August 2012