India Korea Joint Issue

Commemorative Overview: India–Republic of Korea Relations

Historical and Cultural Bonds

The friendship between India and the Republic of Korea (RoK) traces its origins back nearly two millennia, long before formal diplomatic ties were established. According to the 13th-century Korean chronicle Samguk Yusa (The Heritage History of the Three Kingdoms), a Princess from Ayodhya, Suriratna, journeyed to Korea in 48 AD, where she married King Kim-Suro and became Queen Heo Hwang-ok.

The young princess sailed across the ocean from the kingdom of “Ayuta” with a Pasa Stone Pagoda, believed to have calmed the seas during her voyage. She became the first woman immigrant to Korea and mothered 10 sons and two daughters. Two of her sons adopted her surname, forming the Gimhae Heo clan, whose descendants still honour their Indian lineage today.

The Pasa Stone Pagoda, once housed at Hogyesa Temple, is now enshrined within a pavilion at Queen Heo’s Tomb in Gimhae, symbolizing the deep-rooted cultural and spiritual link between the two nations.

Centuries later, the Korean Buddhist monk Hyecho (혜초, 704–787 CE) visited India between 723 and 729 AD. His travelogue “Pilgrimage to the Five Kingdoms of India” offers a vivid account of Indian society, philosophy, and everyday life, further strengthening the cultural dialogue between the two civilizations.

Evolution of Modern Diplomatic Relations

Formal bilateral consular relations between India and the Republic of Korea were established in 1962, and in 1973, they were upgraded to Ambassador-level ties. India’s consistent support for the peaceful reunification of the two Koreas has been warmly acknowledged by the Korean people and government.

The shared experiences of colonial struggles and independence movements brought the two nations closer in the 20th century. Renowned Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore beautifully captured Korea’s enduring spirit in his 1929 poem “Lamp of the East”, envisioning a time when Korea’s light would once again shine brightly across Asia:

“In the golden age of Asia Korea was one of its lamp bearers,
And that lamp is waiting to be lit once again
For the illumination of the East.”

After Korea’s independence in 1945, India played an active and positive role in Korean affairs. Mr. K. P. S. Menon, representing India, served as Chairman of the nine-member UN Commission tasked with overseeing Korea’s first general elections in 1948, which led to the establishment of the Republic of Korea on 15 August 1948 — a date that coincidentally is also India’s Independence Day.

Strengthening Strategic and Economic Partnerships

Over the decades, India and the Republic of Korea have cultivated a robust, multifaceted relationship grounded in mutual goodwill, shared democratic values, and complementary economic interests.

In 2015, the partnership was elevated to a “Special Strategic Partnership”, expanding cooperation across diverse sectors including:

• Trade and Commerce
• Defence and Security
• Science and Technology
• Culture and Education
• People-to-People Exchanges

The relationship gained renewed momentum under President Moon Jae-in’s administration (2017), marked by high-level visits and enhanced cooperation. President Moon Jae-in and First Lady Kim Jung-sook visited India in 2018, followed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Seoul in February 2019.

Both nations continue to explore new avenues of collaboration under the synergistic frameworks of Korea’s “New Southern Policy” and India’s “Act East Policy”, reaffirming their shared vision for peace, prosperity, and regional stability in Asia.

A Timeless Bond of Friendship

From the legendary voyage of an Ayodhyan princess to the dynamic modern partnership of two vibrant democracies, the India–Republic of Korea relationship stands as a shining example of civilizational continuity and contemporary cooperation.

Bound by history, enriched by culture, and strengthened by shared values, the ties between India and Korea continue to illuminate the path of friendship, progress, and mutual respect — truly reflecting the spirit of the “Lamp of the East.”