India-South Korea defence ties: Kim Il Dong meets Sanjay Seth in New Delhi
Synopsis
South Korea's DAPA Vice Minister Kim Il Dong visited New Delhi on 28 September 2026 for the 10th India-RoK Joint Committee Meeting, meeting MoS Defence Sanjay Seth. The visit reaffirmed both nations' push to co-develop defence hardware under India's Make in India banner — a partnership gaining urgency as the Act East Policy and Seoul's Indo-Pacific Strategy increasingly align on shared regional security interests.
Key Takeaways
South Korea's DAPA Vice Minister Kim Il Dong met MoS Defence Sanjay Seth in New Delhi on 28 September 2026 .
The visit was for the 10th India-RoK Joint Committee Meeting on Defence Industries and Logistics Cooperation .
South Korea reiterated its support for India's Make in India initiative in defence manufacturing.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had visited Seoul in May 2026 , holding talks with South Korea's defence minister.
India's 60 Parachute Field Ambulance treated over two lakh patients and performed 2,500 surgeries during the Korean War, underpinning the historical ties.
South Korea's Vice Minister for the Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), Kim Il Dong, called on Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth in New Delhi on 28 September 2026, with both sides reaffirming a shared commitment to deepen bilateral defence cooperation, collaboration in defence industries, and logistics cooperation, according to India's Ministry of Defence.
Key Developments from the Meeting
The meeting, part of Kim Il Dong's one-day official visit to India, coincided with the 10th India-Republic of Korea (RoK) Joint Committee Meeting on Defence Industries and Logistics Cooperation. In a post on X, the Ministry of Defence noted that 'the interaction reaffirmed India and the Republic of Korea's shared commitment to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation further and deepen collaboration in defence industries and logistics.' The South Korean side also reiterated its support for India's Make in India initiative.
Rajnath Singh's Seoul Visit in May Set the Stage
The latest engagement builds on a three-day visit to Seoul in May 2026 by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, during which he held bilateral talks with South Korea's Minister of National Defence Ahn Gyu-back. Singh also met the then Minister of Defence Acquisition Program Administration Lee Yong-cheol and chaired an India-Korea business roundtable. That visit was widely seen as a milestone in expanding strategic military and industrial cooperation between the two nations.
Strategic Alignment Driving the Partnership
The Ministry of Defence has previously described the partnership as being underpinned by the natural alignment of India's Act East Policy and South Korea's Indo-Pacific Strategy. Both countries share values in the Indo-Pacific region, which, according to the Ministry, 'have opened a new chapter in the relations between the two countries.' The convergence on regional security architecture has made defence industry collaboration a centrepiece of the bilateral relationship.
Historical Roots: India's Role in the Korean War
The India-South Korea defence relationship has deep historical roots. India deployed the 60 Parachute Field Ambulance of the Indian Army during the Korean War, a unit that served for more than three years, treated over two lakh patients, and performed approximately 2,500 surgeries, in addition to providing care to civilians, according to the Ministry of Defence. This chapter of shared history continues to inform the warmth of the bilateral relationship.
What to Watch Next
The outcomes of the 10th Joint Committee Meeting are expected to shape the roadmap for co-development and co-production in defence hardware, with India keen to attract South Korean investments and technology transfers under its Make in India framework. Further high-level engagements between the two defence establishments are anticipated in the coming months as both sides look to translate strategic intent into tangible industrial outcomes.
Point of View
But tangible Make in India defence manufacturing wins with Seoul remain limited. With South Korea's own defence exports booming globally — it is now among the top ten arms exporters — New Delhi must negotiate as a strategic partner, not merely a market. The alignment of Act East and the Indo-Pacific Strategy is real, but converting geopolitical convergence into supply-chain integration requires more than joint committee meetings.
NationPress
30 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did South Korea's DAPA Vice Minister visit India in September 2026?
Kim Il Dong visited New Delhi on 28 September 2026 to attend the 10th India-Republic of Korea Joint Committee Meeting on Defence Industries and Logistics Cooperation. During the visit, he called on Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, and both sides reaffirmed commitment to deepening bilateral defence ties.
What is the Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA)?
DAPA is South Korea's government body responsible for defence procurement, research and development, and export of defence systems. It plays a central role in South Korea's defence industrial policy and is the primary counterpart for countries seeking to co-develop or procure South Korean military equipment.
How does India's Make in India initiative connect to the India-South Korea defence partnership?
South Korea reiterated its support for India's Make in India initiative at the September 2026 meeting, signalling interest in co-production and potential technology transfers rather than simple exports. The framework aligns with India's goal of indigenising defence manufacturing and reducing import dependence.
What was the significance of Rajnath Singh's Seoul visit in May 2026?
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's three-day trip to Seoul in May 2026 elevated the bilateral defence dialogue, with talks held at the ministerial level and a business roundtable chaired to explore industrial cooperation. It set the strategic groundwork for the September 2026 Joint Committee Meeting.
What historical ties underpin India-South Korea defence relations?
India's 60 Parachute Field Ambulance served during the Korean War for over three years, treating more than two lakh patients and performing approximately 2,500 surgeries, according to the Ministry of Defence. This humanitarian and military contribution is considered a foundational chapter in the bilateral relationship.
