India sees South Korea as an indispensable partner in its "Act East" strategy, and both recognize the value of the bilateral partnership and its contribution to bringing peace, stability and security in the Asia Pacific Region. India-South Korea relations have come a long way since the establishment of their diplomatic relationship in 1973. Throughout the Cold War, the ideological differences largely deterred the two countries from realizing the full potential of the relationship. The growing economic interaction since India's economic liberalization pushed both to explore the possibility of cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Like India's Act East policy, South Korea has its ‘New Southern Policy ’that focuses on strengthening its economic and strategic relations with Southeast Asia, Australia and India. South Korean economy is heavily export dependent and its top two trade partners are US and China, trade war between US and China have affects on Korean profits. By strengthening ties with India and ASEAN South Korea wants to reduce to its over-dependence on its two traditional allies.1
ROK, ICCK, KOTRA, KITA MoU, ASEAN, FDI, CEPA, Indo-Pacific
