India-Korea Dialogue to Chart Future Course of Bilateral Economic Cooperation

New Delhi, India — In a significant step towards deepening economic and strategic cooperation between India and South Korea, the Republic of India–Republic of Korea Friendship Society (IRKFS) and the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) are set to co-host a high-profile dialogue titled “Changing Geo-economic Environment: Road Ahead for a Robust India-ROK Partnership.” The event is scheduled to take place on August 5, 2025, at the Magnolia Hall, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

Bringing together senior policymakers, diplomats, industry leaders, and economic strategists from both countries, the event aims to foster a nuanced discussion on navigating the shifting global economic landscape while accelerating bilateral trade, investment, and strategic cooperation.

The one-day conference will be inaugurated with welcome remarks by Pramod Bhasin, Chairperson of ICRIER, followed by introductory comments from Ambassador Skand Ranjan Tayal (Retd.), Chairperson of the Republic of India–Republic of Korea Friendship Society and a former Indian envoy to Seoul. His Excellency Lee Seong-ho, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to India, will deliver the keynote address. At the same time, Damu Ravi, Secretary (Economic Relations) at the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, is scheduled to present special remarks.

Two major plenary sessions are planned as part of the day’s proceedings. The first panel discussion, scheduled between 11:15 AM and 12:15 PM, will focus on “Key Geo-political and Economic Drivers for Boosting the India–ROK Economic Partnership.”

Moderated by Indrani Bagchi, CEO of the Ananta Centre, this session will feature prominent voices such as Dr. Rajiv Kumar, former Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog and current Chairperson of the Pahle India Foundation; Sanjay Baru, an expert on global economic issues; Jaewon Chang, CEO of Buddtree Consultants; and Kim Dong-hyon, Managing Director of the South Asia Head Office of KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency) (TBC).

The second panel, from 12:15 PM to 1:15 PM, titled “Opportunities for Industry and Service Sectors to Usher the Second Wave of Korean Investments in India,” will be moderated by Nisha Taneja, Professor and Lead of International Trade and Investment at ICRIER.

This session will explore sectoral opportunities, including shipbuilding, semiconductors, MSMEs, and new technologies, aiming to unlock the next level of Korean investment and technological engagement with India.

Distinguished speakers include Dr Sachin Chaturvedi, Vice Chancellor of Nalanda University; Parth Sharma, President of Corporate Development at Reliance Group; Sangwoo Lim, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in India; and Jung Wan Ryu, Chief Representative of KEXIM India. Additional industry representatives are expected to join.

This timely conference comes at a moment when both nations are seeking to recalibrate their economic strategies in response to global supply chain shifts, emerging technological frontiers, and shared Indo-Pacific aspirations.

India and Korea have enjoyed a “Special Strategic Partnership” since 2015, and recent bilateral engagements underscore a shared commitment to diversifying economic ties, enhancing resilience, and building sustainable industrial linkages.

The discussions at the August 5 event are expected to yield actionable insights and policy recommendations for both governments and private stakeholders, reaffirming the longstanding camaraderie between India and Korea while charting an ambitious roadmap for future collaboration.