Pact signed, Indian marine exports eye South Korea market

Moon, who recalled his first meeting with Modi on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Hamburg on July 2017, said India’s Act East policy and his government’s New Southern policy are complementary. “Now is the right time to lift the partnership to the next level,” he said, recalling that India and South Korea already have a “special strategic partnership”.

The two sides signed 11 agreements covering a broad spectrum of areas for cooperation, including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, railways, culture and trade. Recognising the important role of the two countries in ensuring peace and stability in the region, they agreed to explore further possibilities to coordinate efforts in the defence and strategic spheres in order to benefit from each other’s unique capabilities and experience.

“In this context, South Korea and India will enhance military exchanges, training and experience-sharing, and research and development, including innovative technologies for mutual benefit. We also agreed to encourage our defence industries to intensify cooperation in this regard,” said the joint statement. Recognising the link between prosperity and security, the statement also made a reference to China’s proactive and assertive activities in South China Sea. “We reaffirmed the importance of freedom of navigation, overflight and unimpeded lawful commerce. We supported initiatives for peaceful resolution of conflict through dialogue, underlying the centrality of sovereignty and territorial integrity, in accordance with the universally-recognized principles of international law,” it said.

The vision document said the two leaders also reaffirmed that terrorism cannot be justified on any ground and sought coordinated regional and global efforts. The two sides also resolved to work together to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and delivery systems, particularly to terrorists and non-state actors. Referring to the recent summit between North Korea and South Korea and talks between US President Donald Trump and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, the two leaders hoped these developments would contribute to complete denuclearisation as well as lasting peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula.

While there was no mention of South Korea’s position on India’s bid to become a permanent member of United Nations Security Council, the joint statement expressed broad support for India’s bid to the Nuclear Suppliers Group. “Recognising India’s contribution and commitment towards global non-proliferation efforts, we reaffirmed that India’s membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group will further strengthen the international non-proliferation regime,” it said.

The two countries also agreed to explore a tripartite partnership for development in third countries, beginning with capacity building programmes in Afghanistan.