South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun scheduled to travel to India from August 15th to 17th
In August 2025, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun visited India, marking a significant milestone in the ten-year anniversary of the India-South Korea Special Strategic Partnership. The visit, which took place from August 15 to 17, highlighted a comprehensive strategic cooperation agenda aimed at elevating the partnership to a future-ready level.
During the visit, the focus was heavily centred on semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), green hydrogen and clean energy, trade and manufacturing linkages, maritime security, and defence as pillars of this enhanced partnership.
In the realm of semiconductors and AI, both countries expressed a desire to deepen collaboration in manufacturing and technology development, recognising their critical importance for future economic and security competitiveness.
Clean energy sectors, particularly efforts around green hydrogen applications, were highlighted as strategic priorities to enhance sustainability and reduce emissions. India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission and pilot projects for hydrogen in steelmaking demonstrate this drive.
The ministers also discussed bolstering bilateral trade and manufacturing ties, including joint ventures and technology transfers to enhance industrial ecosystems and supply chain resilience. South Korean corporations such as POSCO and Hyundai were viewed as key partners in this partnership.
Maritime security cooperation and shipbuilding were emphasized in the talks as vital components for regional security in the Indo-Pacific, aligning with shared concerns over global trade stability.
Defence cooperation and manufacturing are central to broadening their strategic ties, reflecting mutual interests in economic security and technological innovation relevant to global and regional peace.
The visit also marked a renewed effort to boost cooperation across sectors such as green hydrogen, shipbuilding, investment, semiconductors, and regional security. The South Korean delegation, led by former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, was warmly received during their discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar.
Both leaders expressed optimism about a new chapter in their relationship, focused on forward-looking sectors and deeper integration across technology, trade, and security. The visit is part of India's efforts to boost engagement with Asia, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
As Cho Hyun's visit comes to a close, both nations look forward to a future of enhanced cooperation, with a commitment to achieving their ambitious goals in the areas of semiconductors, AI, green hydrogen and clean energy, trade and manufacturing linkages, maritime security, and defence. The visit serves as a testament to the strong and enduring India-South Korea partnership, reinforcing shared democratic values, mutual trust, and a commitment to regional peace and stability.
[1] India-South Korea Special Strategic Partnership Joint Statement
[2] India-South Korea Joint Statement on Climate Change and Clean Energy Cooperation
[3] India-South Korea Joint Statement on Defence Cooperation
[4] India-South Korea Joint Statement on Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation
[5] India-South Korea Joint Statement on Maritime Security Cooperation
- Amidst the broader discussions on trade, security, and regional peace, both nations have agreed to publish joint statements focusing on specific areas such as semiconductors, AI, climate change and clean energy cooperation, defence, science, technology, and innovation, and maritime security.
- The joint visit by South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum has sparked a flurry of news articles in various media outlets expressing opinions on the potential impact of strengthened ties in areas like technology, politics, and general news, particularly in the context of India's growing engagement with the Indo-Pacific region.
