Why was this article published?
South Korean President visited India in July. Hence, this article was published few days after it i.e. today. Seoul is the capital of South Korea.
Why did he visit India?
- This is because South Korea is seeking to improve India-South Korea relations.
- During his visit, South Korean President pointed out that his government wished to elevate relations with India to the same level as with other major powers in the world — namely, the U.S., China, Japan and Russia.
Recent significant steps taken by South Korea to improve the relations:
- South Korea launched an initiative called New Southern Policy last year to step up it’s engagement with India and the ASEAN countries.
- That step was a first in South Korea’s diplomatic history, and it demonstrated its desire to shape a new paradigm of Seoul-New Delhi relations.
- Additionally, this year, South Korea set up a state-run research center on India and ASEAN under the Korea National Diplomacy Academy.
What lies behind South Korea’s new posture towards India?
- In recent times, South Korea has been heavily impacted by power politics between the U.S. and China.
- The clash between the two countries over the deployment of the U.S. Thaad missile defence system in the Korean Peninsula set off an economic retaliation by China against South Korea, whose economy is highly dependent on the Chinese market.
- Further, the ongoing U.S.-China trade war has heightened uncertainty surrounding South Korea’s core economic interests.
- To escape the power politics in Northeast Asia, South Korea believes that it should diversify its relations with other major powers in the region, including India which they see as a viable alternative partner.
Areas in which India-South Korea relations can be improved:
- Working together on ensuring freedom of navigation,
- Overflight and unimpeded lawful commerce in the Indo-Pacific region;
- South Korea backing India’s bid for Nuclear Suppliers Group membership, especially when New Delhi has faced sustained opposition from China; and
- Both nations working with third countries on a tripartite basis for regional development, exemplified by plans for capacity-building programs in Afghanistan.
Conclusion
Given the immense potential for cooperation to bring about real change that could benefit India, South Korea and the broader region, South Korean President’s visit signals a deepening of bilateral ties driven by mutual strategic interest.
