The Korea Centre, with the support of Korea Foundation, Republic of Korea, organized an International Conference on March 14, 2024, at the School of International Relations and Politics (SIRP), Mahatma Gandhi University. This event marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between India and South Korea, under the theme “Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of India-Republic of Korea Relations: Opportunities and Challenges in the Indo-Pacific Era.” The conference convened 11 delegates from both nations alongside esteemed members of faculty, research scholars, and students. to engage in a comprehensive reflection on the past relations between India and Korea, provide an accurate account of the present state of bilateral ties, critically evaluate the emerging context that shapes the current landscape, identify potential areas of collaboration, and chart a visionary way forward for the future of this strategic partnership.
The conference commenced with registration, followed by the first technical session titled “50 Years of India-Korea Relation: Reflection,” chaired by Prof. K.M Seethi. Dr Jojin V John, Dr Cho Choongjae, and Dr Rathi Jafer presented their insightful perspectives on the historical journey of bilateral ties. Following a brief tea break, the Inaugural Session, chaired by Dr Jojin V John, featured welcome remarks from Prof. C Vinodan and an inaugural address by Prof. C T Aravindakumar. Later, Mr Kim, Chang Hyun, Consul General, Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Chennai, was honoured with a Ponnada by Prof. C T Aravindakumar, who also delivered the keynote address. The session concluded with a vote of thanks from Ms. Rekha J.
After a lunch break, Session 3, titled “India-Korea and the Indo-Pacific: Regional Dynamics and Strategic Dimension,” was chaired by Prof. A.M Thomas. Prof. Wongi Choe, Dr. Jitendra Uttam, and Cmd. Abhay K. Singh provided insights into the regional dynamics. The subsequent discussion centred on “India-Korea Economic and Development Cooperation,” chaired by Dr Cho Choongjae, featuring contributions from Dr Sojin Shin, Dr Reji K. Joseph, and Dr Jaedong Kang. The discussions were enriched by the participation of esteemed speakers and delegates from both countries. The day culminated with a Roundtable Discussion with a focus on clearing doubts and exploring the way forward for India-Korea Relations, which encapsulated a comprehensive examination of political, economic, and strategic dimensions, paving the path for enhanced collaboration and mutual growth between the two nations in the Indo-Pacific region.