- South Korea hosts conference to strengthen cooperation with India in AI.
- Leaders discuss supply chain resilience, advanced manufacturing, and digital innovation partnerships.
- Both nations aim to boost trade and upgrade economic partnership agreements.
The South Korean government hosted a major economic cooperation conference with India in Seoul on February 20, 2026, to explore ways to expand collaboration in crucial advanced sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI) and supply chain technologies.
The Ministry of Trade Industry and Energy organized the event which assembled approximately 200 participants who included government officials and business leaders and industry experts from both countries to plan methods for increasing bilateral cooperation in high-growth sectors.
The main attendees of the event included Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo from Korea and Indian Ambassador to Korea Gourangalal Das and Shri Rajat Kumar Saini who serves as CEO of the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation of India.
Yeo used his opening speech to highlight the need for countries to strengthen their trade and industrial ties with India because of the current changes in worldwide economic conditions which have made India a vital partner for Global South countries with strong potential for future growth.
The conference revealed areas where South Korea and India have matching strengths which extend to their combined capabilities in AI, space technology, digital innovation, advanced manufacturing, and resilient supply chain systems.
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Korean research institutes and trade promotion agencies showed strong interest in establishing deeper collaboration through their joint research activities which would create shared advantages for both parties.
The delegates examined ways to increase bilateral trade which currently stands at USD 25 billion per year and to develop economic relations that would match South Korea's trade volume with its regional partners.
The officials said that enhanced collaboration between the two countries would help them solve supply chain problems and achieve faster technological progress.
The discussions also covered future policy support, joint research initiatives, investment partnerships, and frameworks for enhanced industrial cooperation. South Korea plans to work on upgrading the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India to create a more favourable environment for trade and innovation.