India and South Korea Sign New Deals on Cyber Security, Innovation and Joint Production

India and the Republic of Korea (RoK) have taken major steps to deepen their strategic defence partnership following comprehensive bilateral discussions between Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and South Korea’s Minister of National Defence Mr Ahn Gyu-back in Seoul on May 20, 2026.

The high-level talks covered the full spectrum of defence cooperation, including defence industry collaboration, maritime security, emerging technologies, military exchanges, logistics cooperation and regional security issues in the Indo-Pacific region.

The visit marks another important milestone in the growing India–South Korea strategic partnership, reflecting increasing convergence between New Delhi’s “Act East Policy” and Seoul’s regional strategic vision.

India and South Korea Reaffirm Commitment to Free and Open Indo-Pacific

During the discussions, both sides reiterated their commitment to strengthening defence and strategic cooperation in support of a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.

Officials from both countries acknowledged the growing strategic alignment between India and South Korea amid rapidly evolving geopolitical and security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific.

The leaders emphasized the importance of closer cooperation in maintaining regional stability, maritime security and technology-driven defence preparedness.

Key Defence Agreements Signed

Several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed during the visit, reflecting the expanding scope and multidimensional nature of the bilateral defence partnership.

The agreements focused on:

• Defence cyber cooperation

• Training collaboration between India’s National Defence College and Korea National Defence University

• United Nations Peacekeeping cooperation

Officials said these agreements are expected to strengthen institutional cooperation, professional exchanges and defence capacity-building between the two countries.

The new arrangements also reflect increasing emphasis on non-traditional security areas such as cyber defence and international peacekeeping.

Focus on Joint Development and Defence Innovation

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh also held discussions with South Korea’s Minister of Defense Acquisition Program Administration Mr Lee Yong-chul.

Both leaders agreed to strengthen collaboration in:

• Joint defence development

• Joint production

• Defence exports

• Innovation partnerships

• Advanced military technologies

The leaders discussed a roadmap for the India-Korea Defence Innovation Accelerator Ecosystem (KIND-X), an initiative aimed at integrating and synergising the innovation ecosystems of both nations.

Officials believe KIND-X could become a major platform for future defence technology cooperation between Indian and Korean industries and startups.

India–RoK Defence Industry Business Roundtable Held in Seoul

Later, Shri Rajnath Singh chaired the India–RoK Defence Industry Business Roundtable, which brought together senior government officials and leading defence companies from both countries.

The event focused on exploring opportunities in:

• Defence manufacturing

• Co-development

• Co-production

• Supply chain integration

• Technology collaboration

The interaction provided an important platform for strengthening industry-to-industry partnerships and encouraging long-term strategic cooperation.

Rajnath Singh Invites Korean Firms to Join “Aatmanirbhar Bharat”

Addressing business leaders, the Raksha Mantri highlighted India’s rapidly expanding defence industrial ecosystem and the opportunities created under the government’s push for indigenous manufacturing and global defence partnerships.

He invited Korean defence companies to deepen collaboration with Indian industries and participate actively 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,” Shri Rajnath Singh said.

He emphasized that the time had come to extend the successful India-Korea industrial partnership model into the defence sector.

Defence Cooperation Expanding into Advanced Technologies

The Raksha Mantri noted that modern defence ecosystems are increasingly driven by advanced technologies rather than only conventional military platforms.

He highlighted emerging areas of cooperation including:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• Autonomous systems

• Cyber technologies

• Semiconductors

• Sensors

• Quantum technologies

• Advanced materials

• Space-based capabilities

• Defence electronics

“Korea’s technological excellence, combined with India’s scale, talent, manufacturing ecosystem, and innovation capabilities, creates a powerful foundation for cooperation,” Shri Rajnath Singh stated.

He stressed that future defence capabilities would depend heavily on rapid innovation and multi-domain technology integration.

India’s Startup and MSME Ecosystem Highlighted

Rajnath Singh also underlined India’s growing defence innovation ecosystem involving:

• Startups

• MSMEs

• Academia

• Research institutions

• Public sector enterprises

• Private defence companies

He said young Indian entrepreneurs are increasingly contributing to areas such as:

• Unmanned systems

• AI-enabled platforms

• Cyber security

• Advanced communications

• Defence software systems

“The future of India–Korea defence cooperation lies in innovation-led collaboration,” he said.

Agreements Signed Between L&T and Hanwha

During the event, two agreements were signed between India’s Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and South Korea’s Hanwha Co Ltd.

Officials said the agreements are expected to:

• Enhance defence technology cooperation

• Promote industrial collaboration

• Strengthen capacity building

• Expand joint manufacturing opportunities

The agreements are being viewed as a significant step towards strengthening India-Korea defence industrial integration.

Rajnath Singh Addresses Indian Diaspora in South Korea

During an interaction with the Indian diaspora in South Korea, Rajnath Singh spoke about India’s rising global stature and transformation over the past decade.

“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,” he stated.

He described India as an emerging global power capable of offering solutions to global challenges.

The Raksha Mantri also highlighted India’s evolving national security doctrine, calling it more assertive, bold and decisive.

“Operation Sindoor” Reflects New India’s Security Approach

Rajnath Singh described “Operation Sindoor” as evidence of India’s transformation into a strong and confident nation unwilling to tolerate terrorism.

“The operation was proof that India will not tolerate terrorism in any form,” he said.

While reaffirming India’s No First Use nuclear policy, he warned that India would not tolerate any form of nuclear blackmail.

“This is New India,” he declared.

India’s Defence Manufacturing Reaches Record Levels

The Raksha Mantri also highlighted India’s major achievements in indigenous defence manufacturing.

According to him:

• Defence production reached approximately Rs 1.54 lakh crore in FY 2025–26

• Defence exports reached nearly Rs 40,000 crore

He projected that:

• Defence exports could touch Rs 50,000 crore within the next 1–2 years

• Defence production may rise to Rs 1.75 lakh crore in the coming months

Officials say these figures reflect India’s rapid emergence as a major global defence manufacturing hub.

Tribute at Korean War Cemetery

Rajnath Singh began the South Korea leg of his two-nation tour by laying a wreath at the Korean War Cemetery in Seoul.

He paid homage to soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the Korean War and expressed India’s solidarity with the people of South Korea.

The Raksha Mantri said the courage, dedication and patriotism of the soldiers remain a lasting source of inspiration.

Strategic Partnership Continues to Expand

Defence analysts believe the visit reflects growing strategic trust and expanding defence convergence between India and South Korea.

The increasing focus on:

• Advanced technologies

• Joint production

• Defence innovation

• Supply chain cooperation

• Indo-Pacific security

indicates that the India–RoK partnership is evolving into a deeper strategic and technological collaboration with long-term geopolitical significance.