India–South Korea Special Strategic Partnership
India and South Korea established diplomatic relations in 1973. The bilateral relationship was elevated to a "Strategic Partnership" in 2010 and further upgraded to a "Special Strategic Partnership" during the Indian Prime Minister's visit to Seoul in May 2015. This framework encompasses cooperation in trade, defence, advanced manufacturing, technology, energy, infrastructure, and people-to-people ties.
- Diplomatic relations established: 1973
- Strategic Partnership: 2010
- Special Strategic Partnership: 2015 (upgraded during PM's Seoul visit)
- Bilateral trade (2025): approximately $25.6 billion
- India-South Korea CEPA signed: August 7, 2009; entered into force January 1, 2010
- South Korea is among India's top 20 trading partners
- Over 500 South Korean companies operate in India; major investors include Samsung, Hyundai, LG, Kia, and POSCO
- India runs a trade deficit with South Korea, a longstanding structural issue in CEPA negotiations
● Tracked since April 19, 2026 · last seen May 20, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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