Indian Pavilion inaugurated by Ambassador Amit Kumar of India

This article is based on press release provided by the Embassy of India in Seoul to The Korea Post media, publisher of 3 English and 2 Korean-language news publications since 1985.—Ed.

Around 550 defense firms from 34 countries showcased their products in Seoul ADEX-2023.

Several Indian Defense Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) including Gliders India Ltd (GIL), Armored Vehicles Nigam Ltd (AVNL), Mazagon Dock Shipbuliders Ltd (MDL), Troops Comforts Ltd (TCL), Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) showcased their latest and cutting-edge products/ technologies.

Ambassador Kumar (6th from left) cuts ribbons with other dignitaries of India during the inauguration ceremony of the India Pavilion at Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition on Oct. 17, 2023.
Ambassador Kumar (6th from left) cuts ribbons with other dignitaries of India during the inauguration ceremony of the India Pavilion at Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition on Oct. 17, 2023.

The Embassy of India also organized an India-Korea Defense Cooperation Seminar in collaboration with Korea Defense Industry Association (KDIA), the Society of Indian Defense Manufacturers (SIDM), and Changwon City Industry Promotion Agency.

Ambassador Kumar in his inaugural remarks acknowledged their valuable support in organizing the Seminar and highlighted the changing defense industry landscape in India, Defense Corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, and called on Indian and Korean companies to explore potential tie ups.

Mr. Byung-ro Choi, Vice Chairman of Korea Defense Industry Association (KDIA), ROK delivered the keynote address at the seminar, highlighting the immense potential for cooperation between the two nations in defense production.

Ambassador Kumar (3rdh from left) listens to explanations given by an official of Armored Vehicles Nigam, an Indian state-owned defense company.
Ambassador Kumar (3rdh from left) listens to explanations given by an official of Armored Vehicles Nigam, an Indian state-owned defense company.

CEOs of participating DPSUs, delegations from Uttar Pradesh Defense Industrial Corridor (UPDIC), Society of Indian Defense Manufacturers (SIDM) also provided an overview of the advances made by India in the field of defense production and held an interactive session and engaged almost 60 potential partners from ROK.

In addition, B2B meetings were also organized wherein 28 Korean companies participated and discussed a wide range of topics related to defense industry and niche technologies collaboration.

This year is a special milestone as India and Republic of Korea are celebrating 50 years of their diplomatic relations. The two countries had a very intense calendar of bilateral engagements so far this year. President Yoon and PM Modi have met twice this year in Hiroshima on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in May and in New Delhi during the G20 Summit in September. They comprehensively reviewed our bilateral relations and agreed to further widen and deepen the Special Strategic Partnership including defense industry cooperation.

Defense Cooperation Seminar between India and Republic of Korea on Oct. 19, 2023
Defense Cooperation Seminar was held between Republic of India and Korea on Oct. 19, 2023.

The participation of Indian companies at ADEX-23 is an important step in promoting awareness about the defense ecosystem in India and enhancing engagement between defense industries of the two countries.

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