India-Republic of Korea (ROK) bilateral relations were correct but cool till the end of the cold war and the emergence of ROK as a significant industrial power in the early 1990s.  The Korean Conglomerates were the first to discover the opportunities in the Indian market and India-ROK relations were fuelled by the private sector on both sides. The implementation of CEPA is a milestone but ROK needs to be more welcoming to India’s IT and pharmaceutical industry.  Defence, nuclear energy, space etc. offer new areas for joint R&D.

India and ROK are cooperating in East Asian regional structures.  There could be more co-ordination among ROK, India and Japan to ensure peace and stability in Asia. There is strong bipartisan support in both countries for a close strategic partnership and the countries are on course for a positive, co-operative and mutually beneficial long term relationship.  With a convergence in their strategic perceptions and core beliefs in a liberal, democratic and open society, India and ROK are also poised to work together to address regional security issues as well as  global economic challenges.