September 5, 2024 - Dr. Kyungjin Song, the Country Representative of The Asia Foundation Korea Office, participated as a panelist in a 1.5-track forum titled "Navigating Global Uncertainty: Redefining ROK-India Relations," on August 28 in Delhi, India. The forum was co-organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in India and the Ananta Centre, a major Indian think tank.

During the forum, Dr. Song emphasized the growing economic ties between Korea and India, driven by their significant roles in the Indo-Pacific region and the need for supply chain resilience. She highlighted India's substantial investments in manufacturing sectors like semiconductors, automobiles, and defense, where collaboration with Korea shows great potential. Dr. Song also discussed the importance of skilled workforce, infrastructure, and R&D investment in advancing these partnerships. She underscored the increasing dialogue and cooperation at the government level and the need for continued discussions between governments, public sectors, private sectors, and public-private partnerships (PPP). She welcomed the upcoming Korea-India Finance Ministers’ Meeting and the launch of the Korea-India Fast Track Mechanism for solving investment-related difficulties.

Dr. Song urged the swift conclusion of the Korea-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) upgrade negotiations underway and advocated for enhanced cooperation between the two countries in digital transformation, cybersecurity, Official Development Assistance (ODA), and particularly in youth exchanges. She added that The Asia Foundation can play the role of a facilitator, bridging the two countries and Asia and the Pacific.

At the forum, Ambassador Chang Jae-bok of the Republic of Korea to India delivered the welcome remarks, and Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs of India, gave the keynote speech. The panel discussion was moderated by Indrani Bagchi, CEO of the Ananta Centre, and included panelists Dr. Kyungjin Song, Country Representative of The Asia Foundation Korea, Lee Seong-hwan, Director-General for Foreign Affairs Strategy and Planning at the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Professor C. Raja Mohan, and Lt. General S.L. Narasimhan, who discussed the future direction of ROK-India relations.