India South Korea defence ties moved towards joint technology work in Cebu, Philippines, on Wednesday, when Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the Republic of Korea's Minister of National Defense Kang Shin-chul discussed ways to co-develop military technologies. The two met on the sidelines of the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus).

According to the Ministry of Defence, the Ministers reviewed the expanding defence cooperation between the two countries.

Singh called the talks productive. "We reviewed our expanding bilateral defence cooperation and discussed ways to co-develop military technologies and strengthen regional security in the Indo-Pacific," he said in a post on X after the meeting.



Ministers discuss joint industry work and maritime security

The Ministry said both leaders stressed a shared vision for an open, free and inclusive region and discussed concrete steps to strengthen security in the Indo-Pacific. They expressed satisfaction at the growth of the strategic partnership. The talks also covered new openings for joint industry collaboration and stronger maritime security.

Kang took charge of South Korea's defence ministry on September 22. A retired four-star Army general, he earlier served as deputy commander of the Korea-US Combined Forces Command and as his country's ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

India South Korea defence industry ties widen

Industry already carries much of the relationship. The 10th India Korea Joint Committee meeting on defence industries and logistics was held in New Delhi on September 29. Larsen and Toubro (L&T) and BEML attended from India, while Hanwha Aerospace, Korean Air, Hanwha Systems, Korea Aerospace Industries and DS Navcours represented Korea.

K9 Vajra built in India with Hanwha

The best-known result of that industrial link is the K9 Vajra self-propelled howitzer, which L&T builds in India with Hanwha. In December 2024, the Ministry of Defence signed a contract worth around Rs 7,629 crore with L&T for more of the guns.

Coast guards and shipbuilding join the agenda

Ties at sea are growing as well. The Indian Coast Guard and the Korea Coast Guard held their 14th High Level Meeting at Incheon on October 14 and agreed on more joint training and ship visits.

India and the Republic of Korea have been Special Strategic Partners since 2015. When the leaders of the two countries met in New Delhi on April 20 this year, their Joint Strategic Vision set the aim of an inaugural Defence and Foreign Affairs 2+2 Dialogue at Vice Minister level. The two sides also adopted a Comprehensive Framework for Partnership on Shipbuilding, Shipping and Maritime Logistics.

Singh also met Japan and US counterparts in Cebu

Singh is leading the Indian delegation at the 13th ADMM-Plus in Cebu, held under the chairmanship of the Philippines on Wednesday and Thursday. The forum brings together the ASEAN member states and eight dialogue partners, India and South Korea among them.

The meeting with Kang was one of several on the first day. Singh also held talks with Japan's Minister of Defense Shinjiro Koizumi, which covered joint naval shipbuilding and mine countermeasures, and with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, a meeting that marked one year of the ten-year India-US defence framework.