Round The World

New Delhi, 24 June 2010

Krishna’s S Korea Visit

INDIA EXPANDS HORIZONS

By Monish Tourangbam

Research Scholar, School of International Studies (JNU)

India has had long historical ties with the Korean people. But the relationship has gained momentum only recently with the visit of President Lee Myung-bak of the Republic of Korea (ROK), also known as South Korea as the Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations early this year. What is important and needs to be noted is the fact that India-South Korea ties are an example of a relationship that is moored in pragmatism and the prospects of shared goals and interests and no mere rhetoric. The relationship has been clearly generated by the opportunities in store as a result of the vitality of both the economies.

Speaking to a select gathering at Korea’s Premier Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security, Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna dwelt on the importance that East and South East Asia holds for India’s foreign policy visions. Ever since the liberalization of its economy and the evolution of what is termed as India’s ‘Look East’ Policy in the early 90s, Indian policy makers have looked at the East Asia economies as an inevitable step towards India increasing its economic clout in the region and internationally. During the visit, Krishna spelled out a six-pronged strategy to take India-South Korea ties forward into the 21^st Century.

Emphasizing on how President Lee’s India visit set the ball rolling, he talked about consolidating and strengthening political partnership through high-level exchange. Enough focus was given on forging common interests with a view to meeting the new challenges to security. The prospects of cooperation and developing alliances in the areas of security and defence was further dwelt on, hammering on the need to go beyond a buyer-seller relationship to the realm of co-production, joint ventures and the transfer of technology.

Top level visits besides being high on rhetoric and symbolism are real integral parts of the machinery that keeps relationships thriving and in motion, preventing stagnancy. High hopes were expressed from the upcoming visits of the Defence Minister A.K. Antony later this year and that of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the G-20 Summit to be held in Seoul this November. While the visit of the Singh as part of a larger summit would give enough chance to build on the excellent momentum, Antony’s visit is going to be of specific importance for developing a robust defence and security relationship that is on the horizon.

Economic ties between the two countries without doubt acquire centre-stage for building confidence and tight webs of linkages. Since the liberalization of the Indian economy, there has been a monumental change of India’s image in the international market. India is one of the largest growing markets in the world creating lots of opportunities for collaborations and joint-enterprises. But, efforts should be made to expand, diversify and deepen the burgeoning India-South Korea economic ties as expressed by the Indian top diplomat. The implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) made operational since January 1, 2010 was deliberated upon and a firm belief was propagated that the bilateral trade goal of US $ 30 billion set could be met before the target date of 2014.

A major initiative towards cooperation in the field of science and technology was made during the visit of the Korean President. An announcement was made regarding the establishment of a Joint Fund of US $10 million with equal contribution from both sides to sponsor joint research between scientists. During the recent meeting of the India-South Korea Joint Commission,  Krishna and his counterpart Yu Myung-hwan discussed ways of operationalizing the Fund at an early date, which will bring major boost to innovations. Reflecting on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), great enthusiasm was expressed in view of the excellent mutual benefits that can be reaped out of this cooperation.

Owing to the imminent challenges of a sustainable growth, it is imperative that India and South Korea work concertedly in the field of energy security. One of the highlights of the recent visit was the possibilities explored and the prospects shown from both the sides regarding cooperation in the field of civilian nuclear energy. South Korea, with its flag bearer the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) is one of the leaders in the field of producing atomic energy. There is a lot of positive buzz around regarding KEPCO after it won an international contract through competitive bidding in the United Arab Emirates.

KEPCO’s entry into the Indian nuclear energy market would increase New Delhi’s access to clean nuclear energy with reliable, efficient safety features, something vital for India which has come out of isolation after the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group (NSG) waiver. The signing of the civilian nuclear deal with the US actually led to the waiver but India in view of its increasing demands of energy and reliable alternatives went on to sign nuclear agreements with a host of other countries, including Russia and France.

As such, the cooperation with South Korea would only enhance India’s position as a viable emerging market for nuclear commerce. This in turn will be an asset to India trying to tackle real-time challenges to meet the increasing energy demands because of its growth and the large consumer base. And, nuclear energy being recognized a clean alternative, deliberations on this matter is critical in taking India-South Korea ties to the next level.

Besides these areas of hardcore diplomacy, the softer variants of diplomacy including cultural exchanges and increasing people-to-people contacts assume as much importance. In times of differences and divergence, cultural exchanges and shared sense of values such as adherence to democracy and rule of law serve as cushions.

Towards this endeavor, various strides have been made, including the announcement to establish a Korean Cultural Center in New Delhi, an MOU between the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and the Korea Foundation, proposal to install a bust of the Nobel laureate and Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore in Seoul, and another MoU for Cooperation between Indian Council for World Affairs (ICWA) and the Institute for Foreign Affairs and National Security (IFANS) in Seoul.

It is symptomatic of a rising power to keep expanding its horizons, in terms of developing ties with different countries in the world, more so with important countries in its area of influence. The trajectory of India’s diplomacy in recent years has given ample examples of its inherent need and ambition to channelize regular and effective diplomatic relations with different countries. Nations with different growth patterns are more dependent on each other than ever before.

The inter-linkages created because of the rapidly globalizing world and the enhanced competition especially in the field of economy, demands that aspiring countries with a buoyant economy like India find partners and alliances in different corners of the earth. In some cases, old ties are enhanced, amplified and in others, new initiatives are taken, new friendships are made. So, New Delhi’s increasing ties with South Korea assume importance in the context of India’s expanding plate of political and economic endeavours.--INFA

(Copyright, India News and Feature Alliance)