India-South Korea Relations: Milestones in Chronological Order

Here's a list of major and minor milestones in India-South Korea relations, explained with context and importance:

Early Interactions & Korean War (Pre-1990s):

• 5th Century CE: Buddhism believed to have been introduced to Korea from India. This shared religious heritage forms a cultural bond.
• 1950-53: India played a significant role in the Korean War as a neutral mediator and chair of the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission. This established India as a responsible actor in the region and laid the foundation for future diplomatic ties.
• 1973: India and South Korea established diplomatic relations. This marked the beginning of formal engagement and opened avenues for collaboration in various sectors.

Growing Economic Ties & Look East Policy (1990s - 2000s):

• 1993: Launch of India's "Look East Policy," prioritizing engagement with Southeast and East Asian nations, including South Korea. This policy shift signaled India's growing interest in the Asia-Pacific region and paved the way for closer ties with South Korea.
• 1996: The two countries signed the "Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement," facilitating economic cooperation and investment. This agreement removed a major hurdle for businesses and boosted bilateral trade.
• 2000s: Surge in South Korean investments in India, particularly in sectors like automobiles and electronics. This period witnessed the rise of companies like Hyundai and Samsung as major players in the Indian market, reflecting the growing economic partnership.

Strategic Partnership & Beyond (2010s - Present):

• 2010: Elevation of bilateral ties to a "Strategic Partnership" during South Korean President Lee Myung-bak's visit to India. This signified a deepening of relations beyond economics to include strategic and defense cooperation.
• 2014: Further strengthening of the "Strategic Partnership" with a focus on defense technology transfer and joint ventures during Prime Minister Modi's visit to South Korea. This marked a new phase in bilateral relations, moving towards greater strategic convergence.
• 2015: Signing of the "Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement" (CEPA) to boost trade and investment. This free trade agreement aimed to significantly enhance economic ties and facilitate greater market access for both countries.
• 2018: President Moon Jae-in's visit to India and the inauguration of the Samsung Electronics factory in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. This visit and the inauguration of the world's largest mobile factory highlighted the strong economic partnership and South Korea's commitment to "Make in India."
• 2019: PM Modi's visit to South Korea and receiving the Seoul Peace Prize for his contributions to international cooperation and global economic growth. This visit reaffirmed the strong bilateral ties and highlighted India's growing global stature.
• Present: Ongoing collaboration in various sectors, including defense, space technology, science and technology, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. The two nations are also cooperating on regional and global issues, such as maritime security, climate change, and counter-terrorism.

Looking Ahead:

India-South Korea relations are poised for further growth, driven by converging strategic interests, economic complementarities, and shared democratic values. The two countries have the potential to become even closer partners in the coming years, contributing to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.