South Korea is intensifying its economic and strategic engagement with India, pushing for fresh investments in shipbuilding, defence manufacturing, and industrial collaboration, Ambassador Lee Seong-ho said on Monday. The envoy highlighted New Delhi's growing importance in Seoul's diversification strategy amid shifting global dynamics.
Second Wave of Investment
In an interview with ANI, Ambassador Lee stated that the next phase of bilateral cooperation could mark a significant departure from the first wave of Korean investments in India during the 1990s, which focused primarily on automobiles and electronics. "We need to create a second wave of Korean investment led by shipbuilding and other industrial collaboration. If that happens, automatically the trade will follow suit," Lee said, indicating that broader industrial cooperation would substantially expand bilateral trade.
Strategic and Energy Security Concerns
On the strategic front, Ambassador Lee noted that the recent West Asia crisis has underscored shared vulnerabilities between India and South Korea, particularly in energy security and maritime stability. "The crisis in West Asia is another example of how both Korea and India share many things together. We both depend on energy sources from that region," he said. He welcomed the deal between the United States and Iran to end hostilities in the region and stressed the importance of diversifying energy sources and accelerating the transition to green technologies.
Lee added that the evolving geopolitical situation makes closer India-South Korea coordination even more critical, especially in safeguarding maritime routes and upholding the international order.
India as an Indispensable Partner
Calling India an indispensable partner, Lee said South Korea sees New Delhi as central to its long-term economic and strategic diversification. "India's importance in Korea's perspective cannot be emphasised too much," he said, adding that the two countries could evolve from strategic partners into "integral economic partners" in the coming years. The envoy also highlighted India's role as a leading voice of the Global South, saying South Korea could be a valuable partner in India's efforts to shape emerging global conversations.
Defence Collaboration
On defence ties, Lee pointed to the K9 Vajra Howitzer programme as a landmark success in bilateral cooperation and revealed that both countries are already exploring a third phase of the partnership. He said discussions are also underway to expand collaboration into air defence guns, missile systems, and other advanced defence platforms.
Conclusion
With global supply chains being restructured and regional security concerns intensifying, Lee's remarks signal Seoul's intent to significantly widen its partnership with India, not just as a market but as a strategic pillar in Asia's evolving geopolitical and economic architecture.
