New Delhi: Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held comprehensive bilateral talks with Republic of Korea (RoK) Minister of National Defence Ahn Gyu-back in Seoul, reaffirming the commitment of both countries to deepen defence cooperation and support a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
The two leaders reviewed the full spectrum of defence ties and explored ways to expand collaboration in defence industry, production, maritime security, emerging technologies, military exchanges, logistics and regional security.
Both sides acknowledged the growing convergence between India’s Act East Policy and RoK’s regional strategic vision. They reiterated their resolve to strengthen defence ties in line with shared strategic objectives in the Indo-Pacific region.
During the meeting, India and South Korea signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to enhance cooperation in Defence Cyber, training between India’s National Defence College and Korea National Defence University, and UN peacekeeping operations, reflecting the expanding scope of bilateral defence relations.
Rajnath Singh also met Lee Yong-chul, Minister of the Defence Acquisition Program Administration of RoK. The two leaders agreed to promote joint development, joint production and joint exports of defence technologies. Discussions were also held on a roadmap for the India-Korea Defence Innovation Accelerator Ecosystem (KIND-X) to integrate the innovation ecosystems of both nations.
India-RoK Defence Industry Business Roundtable
Later, the Indian Defence Minister chaired the India-RoK Defence Industry Business Roundtable, bringing together senior officials and leading defence companies from both countries to explore opportunities in defence manufacturing, co-development, co-production and supply chain partnerships.
Addressing industry leaders, Rajnath Singh highlighted India’s growing defence industrial base and invited Korean companies to partner with Indian firms under the government’s push for indigenous manufacturing and global collaboration.
He emphasised that Korea’s technological strengths, combined with India’s manufacturing scale, talent and innovation ecosystem, offer immense potential for jointly developing advanced defence systems.
The Raksha Mantri said modern defence manufacturing increasingly depends on advanced electronics, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, cyber technologies, semiconductors, quantum technologies and space-based capabilities, areas where India and RoK can collaborate effectively.
Highlighting India’s innovation ecosystem, he said startups, MSMEs, private industry, academia and research institutions are making major contributions in emerging defence technologies, adding that the future of India–Korea defence cooperation lies in innovation-led collaboration.
During the event, L&T India and Hanwha Co Ltd signed two agreements aimed at boosting defence technology cooperation and capacity building between the two countries.
Interacting with the Indian diaspora in RoK, Rajnath Singh said India’s global stature has risen significantly in recent years and described Operation Sindoor as evidence of the country’s growing confidence and capability.
He reiterated India’s commitment to self-reliance in defence manufacturing, noting that defence production touched nearly Rs 1.54 lakh crore and exports reached around Rs 40,000 crore in FY 2025-26, with exports expected to rise further in the coming years.
Rajnath Singh began the final leg of his two-nation tour by laying a wreath at the Korean War Cemetery in Seoul, paying homage to soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the Korean War.