Union External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar delivered the keynote address at the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity 2026 in Jeju, South Korea, on Thursday, 25 June 2026, marking a significant moment in India's high-level diplomatic engagement with East Asia.

Context

The Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity is an annual international conference hosted on Jeju Island, South Korea, since 2001. It brings together heads of state, foreign ministers, academics, and business leaders to deliberate on regional security, economic cooperation, and global governance. Dr. Jaishankar's selection as keynote speaker underscores the growing stature India commands in Indo-Pacific multilateral diplomacy.

India and the Republic of Korea share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, underpinned by a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement signed in 2009 and expanding collaboration in defence technology. South Korea is among the key middle powers New Delhi has been cultivating as part of its calibrated Indo-Pacific strategy.

Policy Backdrop

Dr. Jaishankar's appearance at the Jeju Forum is consistent with India's Act East Policy, which was upgraded in 2014 to prioritise deeper engagement with East Asian multilateral platforms. The policy has guided a steady increase in Track-1.5 and Track-2 diplomatic participation across the region, positioning India as an active stakeholder in shaping the Indo-Pacific security and economic architecture.

Across such forums, Dr. Jaishankar has consistently articulated India's positions on strategic autonomy, multipolarity, and the importance of a rules-based international order. His addresses typically link India's accelerating economic growth with the broader imperative of regional stability — a framing that resonates with middle powers wary of great-power competition.

Stakeholders and Impact

The keynote carries significance for multiple constituencies. The Indian diplomatic corps and foreign-policy establishment will view the address as an opportunity to reinforce New Delhi's narrative on multipolarity and its vision for an equitable global order. East Asian security analysts will parse the remarks for signals on India's positioning relative to ongoing tensions in the region.

For India-ROK business councils and investors, high-level ministerial presence at such forums typically generates momentum for bilateral trade and investment conversations, particularly in sectors such as semiconductors, defence manufacturing, and clean energy where the two countries have identified convergence.

What's Next

Observers will watch for any joint statements or bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the forum that could feed into the India-ROK 2+2 dialogue process. Outcomes from this engagement are also likely to inform India's posture at upcoming ASEAN-India and East Asia Summit meetings later in 2026. Dr. Jaishankar's keynote address at one of Asia's most prominent peace forums signals that India intends to remain a vocal and visible participant in shaping the region's security and prosperity agenda.