**Executive Summary**
On May 20, 2026, India’s Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held bilateral talks in Seoul with South Korean defense leadership to strengthen strategic ties and the "Act East Policy." The visit resulted in the signing of multiple agreements focused on defense cyber cooperation, training, and UN peacekeeping. Key action items include the development of a roadmap for the India-Korea Defence Innovation Accelerator Ecosystem (KIND-X) and achieving a target of Rs 50,000 crore in defense exports within two years.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Bilateral Agreements and Strategic Alignment**
* **MoUs Signed:** Agreements were formalized in the domains of Defence Cyber, UN Peacekeeping Cooperation, and reciprocal training between India’s National Defence College and the Korea National Defence University.
* **Strategic Vision:** Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open, inclusive, and rule-based Indo-Pacific, aligning India’s Act East Policy with South Korea’s regional strategic vision.
* **Innovation Ecosystem:** Discussions were held to finalize a roadmap for the India-Korea Defence Innovation Accelerator Ecosystem (KIND-X) to synergize the startup and innovation sectors of both countries.
**Industrial and Technological Collaboration**
* **Joint Initiatives:** The Raksha Mantri exhorted South Korean firms to engage in joint development, joint production, and joint exports with Indian partners.
* **Industry Agreements:** L&T (India) and Hanwha Co Ltd (South Korea) signed two agreements to facilitate defense innovation, technology partnership, and capacity building.
* **Advanced Technologies:** Future collaboration will focus on modern defense ecosystems, including AI, autonomous systems, semiconductors, quantum technologies, and space-based capabilities.
**Economic Targets and National Policy**
* **Production and Exports:** India’s defense production reached approximately Rs 1.54 lakh crore in FY 2025-26, with exports at Rs 40,000 crore. Targets are set to increase production to Rs 1.75 lakh crore and exports to Rs 50,000 crore in the near term.
* **Aatmanirbhar Bharat:** South Korean companies were invited to play a pivotal role in India's self-reliance initiative through long-term mutually beneficial collaborations.
* **Security Policy:** The Raksha Mantri reaffirmed India’s "No First Use" nuclear policy while stating that the nation will not tolerate terrorism or nuclear blackmail.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian and South Korean Defense Ministries**
**Impact**
The partnership shifts toward a multidimensional strategic alliance covering maritime security, logistics, and regional stability.
**Action Required**
Finalize and implement the KIND-X roadmap and oversee the execution of signed MoUs in cyber and training domains.
**Defense Industry Stakeholders (e.g., L&T, Hanwha Co Ltd)**
**Impact**
Private entities gain enhanced opportunities for co-development and integration into global supply chains.
**Action Required**
Execute signed technology partnership agreements and explore new avenues for joint manufacturing of advanced defense systems.
**Defense Educational Institutions (NDC and KNDU)**
**Impact**
There will be an increase in bilateral military exchanges and standardized training cooperation.
**Action Required**
Commence exchange programs and collaborative training initiatives as per the newly signed agreements.
**Global Strategic Community**
**Impact**
The collaboration strengthens the "rule-based Indo-Pacific" framework and establishes India as a bold, assertive global power.
**Action Required**
Monitor the progress of joint defense exports to assess the shifting landscape of global defense manufacturing.
Key Entities Referenced
Act East Policy: India's strategic initiative to promote economic and security ties with the Asia-Pacific region, cited as a point of convergence with South Korea's regional vision.
India-Korea Defence Innovation Accelerator Ecosystem (KIND-X): A bilateral roadmap discussed to synergize the innovation ecosystems of India and South Korea to unlock potential in defence technology.
Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative: India's national mission for self-reliance, highlighted as the driver for indigenous defence manufacturing and joint ventures with Korean companies.
No First Use policy: India's nuclear doctrine reaffirmed during the visit as a core component of its responsible and assertive security posture.
Operation Sindoor: A specific security operation cited as a testament to India's transformation into a capable nation that does not tolerate terrorism.
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Mantri holds bilateral talks with Minister
of National Defence, Republic of Korea in Seoul
Both Ministers reaffirm resolve for stronger defence ties &
rule-based Indo-Pacific
India & South Korea sign agreements for cooperation in
Defence Cyber, Training & UN Peacekeeping domains
RM exhorts Korean to jointly develop and produce advanced
technologies with India
“Trusted partnerships between technologically capable
nations acquire immense strategic importance; India & RoK
uniquely positioned to work together in changing global
landscape”
Posted On: 20 MAY 2026 5:16PM by PIB Delhi
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Minister of National Defence, Republic of Korea (RoK) Mr Ahn
Gyu-back held comprehensive bilateral discussions in Seoul on May 20, 2026. The two Ministers
reviewed the entire spectrum of defence cooperation and discussed ways to further expand collaboration
in areas such as industry, production, maritime security, emerging technologies, military exchanges,
logistics & regional security.Both sides acknowledged the growing convergence between India’s Act East Policy and RoK’s regional
strategic vision, reiterating their commitment to strengthening defence ties in line with the shared
objectives of maintaining a free, open, inclusive and rule-based Indo-Pacific. Memoranda of
Understanding (MoUs) were inked in key areas of defence cooperation, reflecting the expanding scope
and depth of the bilateral partnership. Agreements were exchanged on promoting cooperation in the field
of Defence Cyber; training between India’s National Defence College and Korea National Defence
University; and UN Peacekeeping Cooperation, making the partnership stronger and multidimensional.
Raksha Mantri also met Minister Defense Acquisition Program Administration, Republic of Korea Mr Lee
Yong-chul, with both leaders agreeing to harness the symbiotic efforts to create avenues for joint
development, joint production and joint exports. A roadmap to unlock the potential of the India-Korea
Defence Innovation Accelerator Ecosystem (KIND-X) to synergise the innovation ecosystems of the two
countries was discussed.
Shri Rajnath Singh, later, chaired the India-RoK Defence Industry Business RoundTable, which brought
together senior government officials and leading defence industry representatives from both countries. The
interaction provided an important platform for exploring new opportunities in defence manufacturing, co-
development, co-production and supply chain partnerships.
Addressing the business leaders, Raksha Mantri highlighted India’s growing defence industrial ecosystem
and the opportunities available under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi-led Government’s initiatives
aimed at promoting indigenous defence manufacturing and global partnerships. He invited Korean defencecompanies to strengthen engagement with Indian industry and contribute towards long-term mutually
beneficial collaboration. He appreciated the enthusiasm of Korean and Indian companies to jointly play a
pivotal role in the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
“The success of India-Korea industrial cooperation in the commercial sector demonstrates the enormous
potential of long-term trusted partnerships between the two countries. The time has now come to extend
this successful model into the defence sector, where technology, innovation, manufacturing capability, and
strategic trust are becoming increasingly interconnected. Korea’s technological excellence, combined with
India’s scale, talent, manufacturing ecosystem, and innovation capabilities, creates a powerful foundation
for cooperation. Together, our two countries can jointly develop and produce advanced technologies and
defence systems for the future. Trusted partnerships between technologically capable nations acquire
immense strategic importance. India and RoK are uniquely positioned to work together in this changing
global landscape,” said Shri Rajnath Singh.
Raksha Mantri highlighted that defence manufacturing is no longer confined only to conventional
platforms and equipment, as modern defence ecosystems are powered by advanced electronics, artificial
intelligence, autonomous systems, cyber technologies, sensors, semiconductors, quantum technologies,
advanced materials, and space-based capabilities. He added that the future of defence will increasingly
depend upon the ability to innovate rapidly and integrate technologies across multiple domains. This, he
stated, is precisely where India and RoK possess enormous potential for collaboration.Shri Rajnath Singh stressed that India possesses a vibrant innovation ecosystem comprising start-ups,
MSMEs, private industry, academia, research institutions, and public sector enterprises. “Young Indian
entrepreneurs are increasingly contributing to advanced technology domains including unmanned systems,
AI-enabled platforms, cyber security, advanced communications, and defence software systems. The
future of India–Korea defence cooperation lies in innovation-led collaboration,” he said.
During the event, two agreements between L&T, India and Hanwa Co Ltd were also signed, signalling a
promising future for India-Korea defence innovation and technology partnership. The agreements are
expected to facilitate enhanced collaboration between the defence industries of both countries and promote
technology cooperation and capacity building.
Interacting with the Indian diaspora in RoK, Raksha Mantri underscored the rise in India’s global stature
due to unprecedented progress under the leadership of PM Modi. “12-13 years ago, India was perceived as
a weak nation, but, today, due to the transformation the country has undergone in the last decade, the
world carefully listens to what we have to say. We’re now emerging as a global power that offers solutions
to the world. Whether internal or external security, our policy has undergone a fundamental
transformation; it has become assertive, bold, consistent, and decisive,” he said.
Shri Rajnath Singh described Operation Sindoor as a testament to India’s transformation into a strong,
confident & capable nation. “The operation was proof that India will not tolerate terrorism in any form. As
a responsible nuclear power, we firmly adhere to a policy of No First Use. However, there are times when
people mistake our restraint and commitment to peace for weakness. While India remains committed to its
No First Use policy, it will not tolerate any form of nuclear blackmail. This is New India,” he said.
Raksha Mantri reiterated the Government’s commitment to achieve self-reliance in defence
manufacturing, stating that the all-time high figures of approx. Rs 1.54 lakh crore worth of defence
production and nearly Rs 40,000 crore worth of defence exports in Financial Year 2025-26 are results of
persistent efforts. He added that defence exports are poised to reach Rs 50,000 crore within the next 1-2
years, while defence production is projected to rise to Rs 1.75 lakh crore in the next couple of months.Raksha Mantri began his visit to RoK, the final leg of his two-nation tour, by laying a wreath at the
Korean War Cemetery in Seoul to pay homage to the brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice
during the Korean War. He conveyed India’s solidarity with the people of RoK and stated that their
courage, dedication & spirit of patriotism remain an enduring source of inspiration.
*****
VK/Savvy
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