Republic of Korea and India: A Vision for People, Prosperity, Peace and our Future

President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) H.E. Mr. Moon Jae-in paid a State Visit to India from July 8-11, 2018. During the visit, President Moon and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi elaborated the following shared vision for peace and prosperity for the people of the two countries:

1. We reaffirmed our mutual desire to further strengthen the ROK-India 'Special Strategic Partnership' built on the foundations of deep-rooted historical and cultural bonds, and based on shared universal values of democracy, free market economy, rule of law, common commitment to a peaceful, stable, secure, free, open, inclusive and rules-based region. We agreed to work towards fostering a 'future oriented partnership for People, Prosperity and Peace'.

2. India sees ROK as an indispensable partner in its 'Act East' policy. Similarly, ROK aims to further strengthen bilateral relations with India, which is a central pillar of ROK's 'New Southern Policy'. We recognized the value of this bilateral partnership and its contribution to peace, stability and security in our region. We resolved to work together to add new substance and impetus to bilateral cooperation in all areas of engagement so as to contribute to regional and global peace and prosperity. In this context, we agreed to explore tripartite partnership for development in third countries, beginning with capacity building programmes in Afghanistan.

3. Recognizing the importance of regular high-level exchanges to consolidate progress in the bilateral partnership, we agreed to intensify leadership-level contact, including through biennial visit by the leaders of the two countries. We agreed to expand interaction by regularizing existing dialogue mechanisms as well as by exploring other areas of mutual interest and cooperation.

People

4. Emphasizing the cultural and historical linkages between the Korean and the Indian people, we agreed to commemorate our shared historical and cultural heritage and promote people-to-people contacts to increase mutual understanding. We also welcomed new initiatives to foster closer people-to-people ties through youth exchange programmes, internships and facilitation of tourism and business through simplified visa procedures.

5. Celebrating a shared heritage, we agreed to expedite work to upgrade the monument of Queen Suriratna (Hur Hwang-ok) in Ayodhya as a joint project.

Prosperity

6. Noting the complementarities between India’s rapid economic growth and its highly-skilled workforce, and ROK's technological prowess, manufacturing excellence and developmental experience, our two sides agreed to partner with each other to secure mutual economic growth and contribute to global economic development. In this context, India welcomed ROK's willingness to partner in India's flagship initiatives, including 'Make in India', 'Skill India', 'Digital India', 'Start-up India' and 'Smart Cities'.

7. Resolving to work towards promoting mutual prosperity, we agreed to expand bilateral trade, including through the early conclusion of ongoing negotiations to upgrade the ROK-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). In this regard, we welcomed the finalization of the elements of an Early Harvest Package that would lead towards an upgraded CEPA. We urged the business community from both our countries to leverage opportunities arising from complementarities between the two economies, to enhance investment, to promote joint ventures, and to work towards the goal of raising bilateral trade to US$50 billion by 2030.

8. Recognizing the importance of supporting India's infrastructure development through Korea's Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) and Export Credit, we agreed to continue discussing potential EDCF projects.

Peace

9. Recognizing the important role of the two countries in ensuring peace and stability in the region, including India's historical association with peace efforts following the Korean War, we agreed to explore further possibilities to coordinate efforts in the defense and strategic spheres in order to benefit from each other's unique capabilities and experience. In this context, ROK and India will enhance military exchanges, training and experience-sharing, and research and development, including innovative technologies for mutual benefit. We also agreed to encourage our defense industries to intensify cooperation in this regard.

10. Recognizing the link between prosperity and security, we reaffirmed the importance of freedom of navigation, overflight and unimpeded lawful commerce. We supported initiatives for peaceful resolution of conflict through dialogue, underlying the centrality of sovereignty and territorial integrity, in accordance with the universally-recognised principles of international law.

11. Appreciating the commonalities in our views on a wide range of current regional and global issues, we agreed to strengthen existing bilateral dialogue mechanisms, including the Joint Commission Meeting led by Foreign Ministers, the Vice Ministerial 2+2 dialogue, and the dialogue between the National Security Councils. In this context, ROK took note of India's inclusive and cooperative vision for the Indo-Pacific region.

12. Recognizing the threat emanating from terrorism, violent extremism and radicalism to world peace and humanity, we strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Reaffirming that terrorism cannot be justified on any grounds, we are resolved in combating terrorism through coordinated regional and global efforts.

13. Underlining the pivotal importance of promoting peace and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in our regions for the larger benefit of all humanity, we welcomed the recent positive developments facilitated by the ROK, including the historic inter-Korean summits, as well as the U.S.-DPRK summit. We hope that these developments will contribute to complete denuclearization as well as lasting peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula. We pledged to work together to prevent proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and delivery systems, particularly to terrorists and non-state actors.

14. Recognizing India's contribution and commitment towards the global non-proliferation efforts, we reaffirmed that India’s membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group will further strengthen the international non-proliferation regime.

Future

15. Recognizing the strong complementarities between the two countries in the area of science and technology, we encourage our scientific institutions, academic community and young professionals to work together through joint collaborations in research & development and experience-sharing, to develop technologies for symbiotic development, including in areas such as renewable energy, material science, robotics, engineering and health sciences.

16. We expressed confidence that our decision to establish the 'Korea-India Future Strategy Group' and the 'India-Korea Centre for Research and Innovation Cooperation (IKCRI)' as well as a number of thematic MOUs concluded during this visit will provide an institutional framework for our future-oriented cooperation based on research, innovation and entrepreneurship. We decided to enhance cooperation through implementation of specific R&D projects.

17. We expressed confidence that our shared vision will provide a new impetus to the expansion and deepening of engagement between the two countries and will serve as a cornerstone for a new era of ROK-India Special Strategic Partnership.

New Delhi
10 July 2018

(khnews@heraldcorp.com)