India-South Korea relations have grown substantially over the past three and a half decades. In the early 1990s, India liberalized its economy, which opened the gate for Korean companies to enter the Indian market. India also launched its Look East Policy, which led to enhanced interactions between India and South Korea. In the subsequent years, gradually, the bilateral relations got diversified and deepened. In the last two decades, strategic and cultural connections between the two countries have also improved. India and South Korea’s historical connections and contemporary economic complementarities augmented their relationship.

India-South Korea relations are arguably one of the most important bilateral relationships in the Indo-Pacific, which may bring new directions to the great power contests in the region. It is important because even though both countries are closer to the United States and concerned about China’s assertiveness, both countries want to pursue a non-exclusivist and non-confrontational approach in the region. India and South Korea are both middle powers, and they seek regional stability for the continuation of their economic growth. Both countries also have a propensity to bring a new developmental agenda in the regional politics, which might moderate the intensity of great power rivalry in the region. Thus, the bilateral relations of India and South Korea have great potential to be mutually beneficial as well as good for the region.

The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies.