New Delhi: India and South Korea have signed a series of defence cooperation agreements aimed at strengthening collaboration in cyber security, military training, defence innovation and industrial partnerships during Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to Seoul.
Singh held comprehensive bilateral talks with South Korean Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back on May 20, where both sides reviewed the full spectrum of defence ties and discussed expanding cooperation in defence manufacturing, maritime security, emerging technologies, logistics and regional security.
The two countries exchanged agreements related to defence cyber cooperation, training partnerships between India’s National Defence College and Korea National Defence University, and collaboration in United Nations peacekeeping operations. Officials described the agreements as a significant step towards making the India South Korea defence partnership more multidimensional and strategically aligned.
Both countries also acknowledged the growing convergence between India’s Act East Policy and South Korea’s regional strategic vision, reaffirming their shared commitment to a free, open and rules based Indo Pacific region.
During the visit, Rajnath Singh also met Lee Yong-chul, Minister of Defence Acquisition Program Administration, where discussions focused on joint development, joint production and defence exports. A roadmap for the India Korea Defence Innovation Accelerator Ecosystem, known as KIND X, was also discussed to strengthen innovation collaboration between the two nations.
Singh later chaired the India South Korea Defence Industry Business RoundTable involving senior officials and industry leaders from both countries. He highlighted India’s rapidly expanding defence manufacturing ecosystem and invited South Korean companies to increase partnerships under the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
The Defence Minister emphasised that future warfare would increasingly rely on advanced technologies including artificial intelligence, cyber systems, semiconductors, autonomous platforms and space based capabilities. He stated that India’s growing ecosystem of start ups, MSMEs, research institutions and private industries created strong opportunities for innovation driven cooperation with South Korea.
During the event, agreements were also signed between Larsen & Toubro and Hanwha Group to enhance defence technology cooperation and capacity building.
Singh also interacted with the Indian diaspora in South Korea and highlighted India’s growing global stature and defence self reliance efforts. He said India’s defence production had crossed Rs 1.54 lakh crore during the 2025-26 financial year, while defence exports were nearing Rs 40,000 crore, with further growth expected in the coming years.
