EGROW Foundation’s Indo-Korea conference to spotlight trade, technology and sustainability cooperation

New Delhi: Egrow Foundation is set to organize the Indo-Korea Economic Conference on April 17, 2026, at the India International Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi, with a strong focus on correcting trade imbalances, catalysing high-technology investment and shaping a more resilient, future-ready partnership between India and the Republic of Korea. The event comes at a time when both countries are seeking to strengthen cooperation amid geopolitical uncertainties, protectionist trends and the growing global push for supply chain diversification.

According to Dr. Charan Singh, CEO and Founder Director, Egrow Foundation, the conference is being positioned as an important platform to build on the momentum in bilateral relations that have matured into a “Special Strategic Partnership” since 2015. As India and South Korea mark 50 years of diplomatic engagement, the economic relationship has acquired new significance, combining India’s expanding market and digital strengths with Korea’s advanced technology and manufacturing capabilities.

Bilateral trade was recorded at about US$26.89 billion in FY2024-25, while the highest figures reached in the year 2022 when bilateral trade touched USD 27.9 billion underlining the scale and potential of the relationship, even as both sides acknowledge that much more remains to be done.

Yet the partnership continues to face structural challenges. The concept note for the conference points to India’s substantial trade deficit with South Korea and notes that India still has an estimated untapped export potential of US$98 billion. It also observes that Korean investments in India remain largely concentrated in consumer sectors, making the case for a fresh push toward advanced manufacturing, innovation-led collaboration and high-value technology partnerships.

It is against this backdrop that the conference aims to create a practical policy and business dialogue around the next phase of Indo-Korean cooperation. Organizers say the goal is not only to address long-standing asymmetries in trade and investment, but also to unlock what the concept note calls a “second wave” of high-tech Korean investment and collaboration that can make the bilateral relationship more balanced, resilient and future-oriented.

Placing the conference in a broader strategic context, the event will spotlight the growing alignment between India and South Korea in sectors such as semiconductors, shipbuilding, electric mobility, renewable energy and digital finance. Initiatives such as the Korea Plus Desk and the ongoing negotiations to upgrade the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement are expected to feature in discussions as both governments work to broaden trade and reduce imbalances. The conference will also reflect on how the two countries can align their priorities with wider regional frameworks such as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and the Mineral Security Partnership.

“India and Korea stand at a defining moment in their economic relationship. The need of the hour is to move beyond incremental gains and build a partnership that is innovation-driven, strategically balanced and future-ready. Through this conference, we hope to generate actionable ideas that can expand high-tech investment, strengthen trade complementarities and create a more resilient framework for shared growth,” said Dr. Charan Singh, CEO and Founder Director, Egrow Foundation.

The conference will convene policymakers, scholars and business leaders to deliberate on actionable strategies for expanding trade, investment and development cooperation. According to the concept note, the larger objective is to ensure that the Indo-Korean partnership contributes not only to bilateral prosperity but also to wider regional stability and collective progress.

A major thrust of the deliberations will be on sustainable manufacturing and industrial innovation. One of the specific objectives is to promote sustainable manufacturing practices at multinational plants by sharing approaches to resource efficiency, environmental compliance, workforce engagement and technology adoption. This is expected to resonate strongly with sectors where Korean expertise and Indian scale can come together meaningfully.

The conference will also highlight emerging areas of collaboration in high-technology sectors and the digital economy. Organizers aim to encourage stronger start-up linkages, promote innovation corridors, facilitate research and development partnerships and strengthen cross-border digital trade frameworks aligned with global standards. This emphasis reflects the growing recognition that the next chapter of Indo-Korea economic ties will depend increasingly on innovation ecosystems rather than traditional trade alone.

The programme will begin with registration and networking, followed by the inaugural session on the theme, “Strengthening the Indo-Korea Strategic Economic Partnership.” The first substantive session will examine sustainability, green hydrogen, green steel, green aluminium and cosmetics, with discussions expected around aluminium recycling, specialty materials manufacturing, environmental footprint reduction and operational excellence.

A second session, titled “Emerging Frontiers in Indo-Korea Collaboration: Technology, Start-ups, Defence and Digital Economy,” will focus on joint ventures in semiconductors, EV components and fintech innovation, along with start-up ecosystems, innovation corridors and digital trade frameworks. The conference will conclude with a valedictory session under the theme, “Forging a Shared Future for India and Korea,” followed by snacks and drinks.

With its emphasis on trade correction, technology-led investment and strategic economic cooperation, the Egrow Foundation conference is expected to provide a timely forum for shaping the next phase of India-South Korea ties. At a time when both countries are looking for trusted partners in an increasingly uncertain global environment, the event seeks to reinforce the idea that the Indo-Korea relationship can evolve into a stronger, more future-facing pillar of the Indo-Pacific economy.