India and South Korea Sign Four MoUs to Strengthen Strategic Partnership

India and South Korea signed four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to expand cooperation in key sectors during South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s visit to India.

The 4 agreements were signed in the fields of:

Sports

Cultural and Creative Industries

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

Establishment of the Industrial Cooperation Committee

Both countries also exchanged:

Joint Declaration to resume negotiations for upgrading the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)

Framework for the India-Korea Digital Bridge to boost cooperation in AI, semiconductors, digital business, and technology sectors

Why This is Important?

The visit aims to strengthen the India–ROK (Republic of Korea) Special Strategic Partnership and increase bilateral trade from the current level toward 50 billion dollars by 2030.

Major Focus Areas:

Both leaders discussed cooperation in:

Trade and investment, Shipbuilding and maritime logistics, Steel and supply chains, Semiconductors and AI, Energy security, Defence and security, Critical and emerging technologies & People-to-people and cultural exchanges

Bigger Objective:

The main goal is to deepen economic ties, improve supply chain resilience, strengthen Indo-Pacific cooperation, and make India–South Korea relations stronger in trade, technology, and strategic security.

India–South Korea Relations:

Trade & Economic Cooperation:

Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) – 2009 → Trade, investment, and market access

CEPA Upgrade Negotiations – resumed in 2026 → Expansion of bilateral trade and economic cooperation

Strategic & Defence Cooperation:

Special Strategic Partnership – 2015 → Overall defence, security, and strategic cooperation

Defence Industry Cooperation Framework – 2019 → Defence production, shipbuilding, and maritime security

Technology & Digital Cooperation:

India–Korea Digital Bridge – 2026 → Cooperation in AI, semiconductors, digital business, and emerging technologies

Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement – 2014 (renewed cooperation framework) → Research, innovation, and industrial technology

Energy & Infrastructure:

Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement – 2011 → Peaceful use of nuclear energy

Green Growth and Clean Energy Cooperation Framework – ongoing cooperation strengthened after 2021 → Renewable energy, green hydrogen, and sustainability

Cultural & People-to-People Relations:

Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) – various renewals, major framework strengthened in 2015 → Cultural cooperation, tourism, and education

MoUs on Sports and Creative Industries – 2026 → Sports diplomacy and cultural collaboration