India and South Korea on Wednesday signed key agreements to enhance cooperation in defence cyberspace and military training, reaffirming their commitment to stronger bilateral defence ties and a rules-based Indo-Pacific amid rising Chinese assertiveness.
The pacts were finalized following Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s wide-ranging talks in Seoul with his South Korean counterpart Ahn Gyu-back. Singh arrived in the South Korean capital on a three-day visit, during which both sides reviewed the entire spectrum of defence cooperation and discussed expanding collaboration in joint production of military hardware, maritime security, emerging technologies, and regional security.
In addition to the government-level agreements, India’s Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and South Korea’s Hanwa Co Ltd signed two industrial defence cooperation deals. Singh emphasized that South Korea’s technological excellence combined with India’s scale, talent, and manufacturing ecosystem could create a powerful foundation for future defence systems.
Speaking at an Indian diaspora event, Singh described Operation Sindoor as proof of India’s transformation into a strong and capable nation. He reiterated India’s adherence to its No First Use nuclear policy but warned: “While India remains committed to its No First Use policy, it will not tolerate any form of nuclear blackmail. This is new India.” His remarks were seen as an indirect message to Pakistan.
The Defence Ministry highlighted that the agreements signal a promising future for India-Korea defence innovation and technology partnership. Singh told South Korean business leaders that trusted partnerships between technologically capable nations are of immense strategic importance in today’s changing global landscape.
India’s stance, as articulated by Singh, underscores a balance between restraint and deterrence—committed to peace but resolute against threats to sovereignty and security.
