India on Tuesday pitched to create a maritime security partnership with South Korea and called for Seoul’s participation in the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative to boost bilateral ties in the Indo-Pacific region.
The suggestions were put forward by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during his address at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy in Seoul on Tuesday. Jaishankar met the South Korean NSA and its Trade Minister on day one of his two-day trip.
“If I were to give some examples for RoK (Republic of Korea) as an important trading country, maritime security is a very very vital concern. We in India host a Fusion Centre which is built as a result of a number of White Shipping agreements with different partners where you actually have a common operative picture across the entire Indian ocean. Similarly, RoK’s participation in Initiatives like the Indo Pacific Oceans initiative which
looks at a range of oceanic issues from ecology and environment to transport and science technology would I think be a very valuable addition.”
He also suggested that South Korea can make its presence felt at the International Solar Alliance. “…I give these examples as a way of illustrating that one way of also deepening our relationship is for us to be present in similar organizations or shared organizations with common goals. And that too would reinforce a what hopefully would be a deeper bilateral relationship.”
He also called for more political discussions and more strategic conversations. “We need stronger business connects and technology interactions. The long pending review of our CEPA must be expedited so that it can be upgraded. We will have to identify more intersections and meeting points that work for both of us. We will also have to be more collaborative, recognizing the strengths that we each bring to the table…I am confident that by broadening our horizons, the India-RoK partnership can emerge as a significant factor in the Indo-Pacific.”
As two significant G20 members, India and RoK have a growing responsibility to actively contribute to the reshaping of the global order, Jaishankar pointed out in his address.