Two-Day International Conference
Exploring Bilateral Context in the Multi-polar World:
New Dimensions in India–Korea Partnership
Oragnised by
Korea Centre, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala
in collaboration with
The Centre for East Asian Studies (CEAS),
School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
📅 Date: March 6–7, 2026
📍 Venue: Room No. 128, School of International Studies (New Building), JNU, New Delhi
Conference Report
The Korea Centre, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, in collaboration with the Centre for East Asian Studies (CEAS), School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, organised a two-day international conference on 6–7 March 2026 at the School of International Studies (New Building), JNU, New Delhi. The conference brought together distinguished scholars, diplomats, and policy practitioners from India and the Republic of Korea to examine the evolving contours of the India-Korea partnership against the backdrop of tectonic geopolitical, technological, economic, and cultural transformations reshaping the multipolar world order.
The conference commenced with an inaugural session presided over by Prof. Jitendra Uttam, Chairperson, CEAS, who delivered the welcome address. The inaugural address was delivered by Prof. Sharad K. Soni, Associate Dean, School of International Studies, JNU. Ambassador Skand Tayal, President of the India-Korea Friendship Society and former Indian Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, offered special remarks reflecting on the depth and strategic significance of the bilateral relationship. Mr Sung-il Park, Minister Political, ROK Embassy in India, conveyed a congratulatory address on behalf of the Korean diplomatic mission. Dr. Jojin V. John, Director, Korea Centre, Mahatma Gandhi University, delivered the vote of thanks. The inaugural session was followed by an engaging interactive panel session on the future of India-Korea relations in an era of geopolitical and technological transformation, chaired by Prof. Jitendra Uttam. The session featured a distinguished delegation from Seoul National University’s Institute of Future Studies, comprising Prof. Injoo Sohn, Deputy Director and Professor of Political Science and International Relations; Ambassador Hyoung-Zhin Kim, former Belgian and EU Ambassador and Visiting Researcher at IFS; Prof. Je-Geun Park, Professor of Physics and Astronomy; and Dr. Minhye Zoh, Senior Researcher specialising in Law, Management, and Governance System Analysis. The panel generated substantive discussion on the intersection of technology, geopolitics, and the future trajectory of bilateral cooperation.
The second day, 7 March, opened with Session 2 on Korea’s economic transformation and its lessons for India, chaired by Prof. Choe Wongi, Professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy (KNDA), ROK. Prof. Aradhna Aggarwal of the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) examined innovation policy and industrial transformation, while Prof. Jitendra Uttam offered a comparative perspective on the developmental trajectories of Korea and India. Dr. Rajiv Narayan, Executive Director, ICDP, Spain, also contributed to the discussion. Session 3 addressed political and diplomatic transformation in Korea and its implications for bilateral relations, chaired by Prof. Sandip Mishra, CEAS. Prof. Choe Wongi analysed the strategic priorities of the Lee Jae-myung administration and their implications for India-Korea ties. Dr. Jojin V. John presented a theoretically grounded paper on “Status Quest in Korean Foreign Policy,” examining how status-seeking drives South Korea’s foreign policy behaviour and middle power identity construction. Dr. Anmol Mukhia of South Asian University explored the concept of “Third Korea” and its influence on North Korea policy.
Session 4 mapped social and cultural transformation in Korea and its implications for India-Korea relations, chaired by Prof. Hriday Narayan, CEAS, JNU. Presentations by Dr. Neha of Jamia Millia Islamia on educational exchanges, Dr. Kaushal Kumar of JNU on youth culture and digital society, and Dr. Anshuman Tomer on emerging opportunities for bilateral cooperation collectively highlighted the deepening people-to-people and cultural dimensions of the relationship. The conference concluded with a roundtable discussion on reimagining Korean Studies in India, chaired by Dr. Jojin V John, Hon. Director Korea Centre. The panellists drawn from Mahatma Gandhi University, JNU, Jamia Millia Islamia, and Delhi University engaged in a candid and forward-looking conversation on strengthening the institutional and intellectual infrastructure of Korean Studies across Indian universities. The two-day conference made a significant contribution to advancing scholarly and policy dialogue on one of Asia’s most consequential and dynamic bilateral partnerships.
