The 76th Republic Day of India celebrated with a new milestone in Korea-India relations

On the evening of January 23rd, the Embassy of India in Seoul hosted the 76th Republic Day of India at Sebit Island in Seoul. The event was attended by foreign ambassadors and diplomatic representatives, and featured performances such as the Korean children's choir singing the national anthem, as well as traditional Indian dance and music.

Amit Kumar, the Indian Ambassador to Korea, highlighted India’s achievements and future vision in his welcome address. He stated, "Today is a time to reaffirm our commitment to achieving 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India) by 2047." He noted that India’s economy has grown to become the world’s fifth-largest, with a GDP of 4 trillion dollars, and mentioned that India is on track to become the third-largest economy within the next five years. He also pointed out that the Indian economy has recovered swiftly from the COVID-19 pandemic, recording an average growth rate of 7%.

Furthermore, Ambassador Kumar emphasized India’s landmark achievements in space exploration and renewable energy, saying, “India has achieved monumental successes, including the recent successful docking experiment and the placement of the solar observation satellite 'Aditya-L1' at its target location—an embodiment of India’s growth in science and technology.”

He also highlighted the growing bilateral ties between Korea and India, noting that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Special Strategic Partnership between the two countries. "The two nations have been actively cooperating in foreign policy, economic, and technological fields," he said, adding that significant collaborations include the establishment of steel plants in India by Korean companies POSCO and JSW, showcasing the potential for future cooperation across various sectors.

Following Ambassador Kumar’s speech, Chung Byung-won, Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs of Korea, praised the importance of the Indian expatriate community in Korea and their contributions to strengthening bilateral relations. He shared that the number of Indian residents in Korea has tripled over the past seven years, reaching 17,500, and emphasized that the strong exchanges between India and Korea have solidified the relationship. He also highlighted the rapid development of bilateral ties following the signing of the Korea-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in 2009 and the establishment of the Special Strategic Partnership in 2015.

Both countries continue to closely cooperate not only in economic matters but also in global strategies and shared values. Over 530 Korean companies are supporting India’s 'Make in India' campaign. “Last year, Hyundai Motors made a landmark move by listing on the Indian stock market, marking a significant milestone in our economic cooperation,” he added, further underscoring the importance of continued collaboration between the two nations.

The event served as a pivotal moment to deepen the growing relationship between Korea and India, opening a new chapter for future cooperation.