Rajnath Singh Visits Seoul To Review India-South Korea Defence Cooperation

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Seoul on Tuesday for a three-day official visit aimed at strengthening India–South Korea defence cooperation and expanding the strategic partnership between the two countries amid a rapidly evolving Indo-Pacific security environment. Upon his arrival, Singh highlighted the purpose of his visit in a post on X, stating that the trip is intended to further enhance India–Republic of Korea defence ties and deepen collaboration in areas of shared strategic interest. The visit comes after his two-day engagement in Hanoi, where India and Vietnam advanced their Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, reflecting New Delhi’s broader regional diplomatic outreach.

During his stay in South Korea, Singh is scheduled to hold high-level bilateral talks with South Korean Minister of National Defence Ahn Gyu-back. The discussions are expected to review ongoing defence cooperation and explore new initiatives to expand military-to-military engagement. Both sides are also likely to exchange views on key regional and global security developments affecting the Indo-Pacific region.

In addition to defence talks, the Indian Defence Minister will meet Minister of Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) Lee Yong-cheol and chair the India–Korea business roundtable. These engagements are expected to focus on defence industrial cooperation, technology collaboration, and strengthening supply chain resilience in the defence sector.

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The Ministry of Defence noted the historical significance of India’s contribution during the Korean War, recalling the deployment of the 60 Parachute Field Ambulance unit, which provided humanitarian medical support for over three years, treating more than two lakh patients and performing around 2,500 surgeries. It also highlighted India’s role in the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission and the Custodian Force of India, which oversaw the peaceful repatriation of prisoners of war in the post-war period.

A key highlight of the visit will be the joint inauguration of the Indian War Memorial on May 21 with South Korea’s Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Kwon Oh-eul. Officials said the visit reflects the growing convergence between India’s “Act East Policy” and South Korea’s Indo-Pacific strategy, underscoring shared values and a deepening partnership in the region.

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