There is much potential for Seoul to become the fourth pillar in New Delhi’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
How was the bilateral relation between the two countries in the past?
During the past five years, India and South Korea have experienced considerable divergence in their respective national objectives.
Multilateral initiatives- There was a clear drift by South Korea away from multilateral security initiatives led by the United States, such as the Quad (the U.S., Australia, India and Japan).
Trade- Trade between the two countries was sluggish and there was no major inflow of South Korean investment into India.
India and South Korea were also trying to upgrade their Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) agreement, but couldn’t.
Defence- In 2020, India and South Korea signed a Roadmap for Defence Industries Cooperation.
However, due to the lack of political and strategic alignment, nothing came of it.
Security- During the Moon Jae-in presidency in Korea, Japan and South Korea were at loggerheads.
There was little scope for strengthening the trilateral security dialogue in the region between India, South Korea and Japan.
What is the new shift in South Korean policy?
The newly elected Korean President, Yoon Suk Yeol, has brought about a paradigm shift in South Korean foreign and security policies.
He has proposed that South Korea should step up to become a “global pivotal state, anchored in liberal values and a rules-based order”.
South Korea’s new willingness to become a global pivotal state and play an active role in regional affairs is bound to create multiple opportunities for a multi-dimensional India- Korea partnership.
Opportunities ahead- South Korea’s strategic policy shift to correct its heavy tilt towards China is bound to bring new economic opportunities for both countries.
The emerging strategic alignment is creating a new convergence of capabilities in new areas of economic cooperation such as public health, green growth, digital connectivity, and trade, among others.
With the strategic shift in South Korea’s defence orientation, new doors of cooperation for defence and security have emerged.
Advanced defence technologies and modern combat systems are the new domains for the next level of defence cooperation between the two countries.
South Korea’s participation in maritime security activities in the Indian Ocean, such as the Malabar and other exercises, will strengthen India’s naval footprint in the Indo-Pacific region.
The shift in South Korean policies will enable a strong India, South Korea and Japan defence policy coordination that could effectively forge new joint regional security policies.
South Korea could be the fourth pillar in India’s Indo-Pacific strategy along with Japan, Australia, and Vietnam.
With South Korea’s emergence as a leader in critical technologies, cybersecurity and cyber-capacity building, outer space and space situational awareness capabilities.
India can help South Korea withstand Chinese pressure and North Korean threats.
How is South Korea’s relationship with other countries?
U.S. factor- In the past, Mr. Trump was unconvinced about the relevance of the U.S.-Korea partnership and had discussed withdrawing U.S. forces from South Korea.
North Korea- South Korea’s peace process with North Korea has completely collapsed as North Korea conducts more missile and nuclear tests, leading to regional tension.
Any breakout of hostilities on the Korean Peninsula can derail South Korea’s Indo-Pacific project.
China- During the Moon presidency, South Korea was forced to sign the three no’s agreement with China. Korea agreed to
No additional Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) deployment
No participation in the U.S.’s missile defence network
No establishment of a trilateral military alliance with the U.S. and Japan
