India and South Korea agreed Sunday to strengthen cooperation in defense, technology and supply chains during talks between their foreign ministers in New Delhi.
External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar hosted his South Korean counterpart Cho Hyun for the high-level meeting. Both sides said the talks were part of efforts to deepen ties at a time of global economic and security uncertainty.
Jaishankar described the discussions as “productive” and said issues such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence and renewable energy were highlighted as areas for new collaboration. A joint statement released after the meeting said the countries would explore projects in military technology, defense production and the protection of critical infrastructure.
Officials said the talks also focused on supply chain resilience, with both governments seeking to reduce dependence on single markets and diversify strategic industries.
The meeting followed earlier agreements under the Individually Tailored Partnership Program, signed in 2023, which covers areas such as cyber policy, counterterrorism and intelligence sharing. Diplomats said Sunday’s dialogue was meant to build on that framework.
South Korea has expanded its engagement with regional partners in recent years, while India has sought to widen cooperation beyond its immediate neighborhood. Both governments described the talks as part of a broader strategy to strengthen their positions in the Indo-Pacific.
Cho said Seoul valued the partnership with India “as a cornerstone of regional stability,” while Jaishankar emphasized the importance of closer coordination on economic and security issues.
No major new agreements were announced, but officials said working groups would continue talks in coming months. Both ministers agreed to maintain regular consultations and explore further opportunities for joint projects.
