The India-Korea Friendship Park was recently inaugurated by the Indian Defence Minister and his South Korean counterpart. This followed a bilateral meeting where both ministers explored different areas of cooperation. The park’s inauguration spotlighted the steady growth in ties between India and South Korea, which were underscored by the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to South Korea in February 2019.
About the Park
Sprawling across six acres of lush green space, the India-Korea Friendship Park houses a Korean-style entrance gate, a jogging track, a well-landscaped garden, and an amphitheatre. A striking feature of the park is its handshake artifact towering at the entrance, displaying the flags of India and South Korea.
A statue of General KS Thimayya graces the park, commemorating his leadership of the Indian contingent in the Korean War as Chairman of Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission (NNRC) in Korea. The NNRC was established following the Armistice Agreement in the Korean War to decide the fate of over 20,000 prisoners of war from both sides.
The Story Behind the Five Pillars
Framing the statue of General Thimayya are five pillars detailing the operations carried out by the 60 Parachute Field Ambulance deployed by India during the Korean War. These include treating about 195,000 cases and performing roughly 2,300 field surgeries. One pillar also dedicates itself to Nobel Laureate Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore’s portrayal of Korea as “The Lamp of the East”.
Development and Significance of the Park
The park was developed through joint consultation with the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, Indian Army, Delhi Cantonment Board, Embassy of Korea, and Korean War Veterans Association of India. The park holds significance not just as a symbol of India-South Korea relations but also as a testament to India’s contributions to the Korean War.
Bilateral Meet Outcomes
The bilateral meeting focused on maritime cooperation as part of the Indo-Pacific strategy and potential cooperation in defense industry and future technologies. The ministers also discussed the logistics agreement that aids the Indian navy’s operations in the Indo-Pacific region.
India-South Korea Relations
India-South Korea relations have reached significant milestones, including the ceasefire agreement signed during the Korean War (1950-53) and the upgrade to a ‘special strategic partnership’ in May 2015. India plays a vital role in South Korea’s Southern Policy, while South Korea is essential to India’s Act East Policy.
Economic ties between the two countries are also growing with a bilateral trade target set at USD 50 billion by 2030. India has instigated a “Korea Plus” facilitation cell under ‘Invest India’ to encourage Korean investment.
Moreover, cultural exchanges continue to grow. For instance, Korean Buddhist Monk Hyecho’s travelogue about his visit to India presents a vivid account of Indian culture. Rabindranath Tagore had composed a poem glorifying Korea’s past and future. To promote such cultural exchanges, India established Cultural Centres in Seoul and Busan.
On multilateral platforms, both countries share a presence in the United Nations, World Trade Organization, ASEAN Plus, East Asia Summit, and G-20.
The Way Forward
India and South Korea relations have evolved significantly in recent years. While the progress has been remarkable, there is immense potential for further growth. What is needed is political will, creative approaches in diverse areas like culture, strengthening democratic values, and nurturing civilisational connections.