India, South Korea must focus on 4 critical sectors- Semiconductors, Steels, Secondary batteries, and Chemicals: Amb Amit Kumar

NEW DELHI: Amit Kumar, Ambassador of India to the Republic of Korea has said that in the backdrop of global supply chain disruptions, it was imperative for both – India and South Korea to cooperate and work together in several key areas, and deepen India-Korea Special Strategic Partnership. While outlining these opportunities that existed between the two countries, Ambassador Kumar said that he looked forward to working on advancing and deepening the strategic partnership between India and South Korea in his new role.

“I am really excited by the potential in several key areas that exist between our countries. In the backdrop of global supply chain disruptions that we have seen, it’s important that we do cooperate,” said Ambassador Kumar on Saturday evening during a reception organised by India-Republic of Korea Friendship Society.

While quoting the President Yoon Suk Yeol who outlined some areas with great relevance, Indian Ambassador Kumar said that in terms of ensuring supply chain resilience it was imperative for us to lay stress in four critical sectors – semiconductors, steels, secondary batteries, and chemicals, and also the new technology areas which included AI, 6G, Digital infrastructure, and renewable energy.

“One sector which India and Korea have laid out ambition plans is secondary batteries. It’s imperative that we join hands in finding alternate supply chains for Lithium-ion batteries, as we do not want to create another dependency on China in key strategic areas. I wish to to interact with as many stakeholders to realize the twin objectives as priority for me as ambassador which is to expand widen and deepen India-South Korea Special Strategic Partnership. We also need to enhance mutual understanding, trust and friendship among our people,” said Ambassador Amit Kumar.

Ambassador Amit Kumar assumes his new responsibility at the time when both nations are preparing to celebrate next year 2023 as the 50^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between them.

A career diplomat of 1995 Indian Foreign Service batch, his recent assignments included stints as the Deputy Chief of Mission in the Embassy of India, Washington DC with Ambassador-rank, Joint Secretary for Development Partnership Administration and as Joint Secretary for Human Resources Management in the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi. He was also Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India in Tokyo. He has previously served as Under Secretary (China) and as Chief of Staff to the Foreign Secretary in New Delhi.

Besides office bearers of India-Republic of Korea Friendship Society including Ambassador Skand Ranjan Tayal, Chairperson, and Ambassador of India to the Republic of Korea during 2008-11, Ambassador Vishnu Prakash, Vice-Chairperson Ambassador to ROK, Parth Sharma, Secretary-General, President Corporate Development, Reliance Group, Vice-President Euy Don Park, Chairman, Federation of Korean Associations in India, and others, there were dignitaries including former ambassadors, top corporates bosses from Indian and Korean companies.

Ambassador Chang Jae-bok, Republic of Korea to India, Ambassador Shashank, Former Foreign Secretary, Ambassador. Sujan R. Chinoy, Director General of IDSA, Amb. Anil Wadhwa, Former Secretary (East), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty, Former Ambassador to Bangladesh, Ambassador Surendra Kumar, President, Indo-American Friendship Association, Ambassador Narinder Chauhan, Ambassador C Rajasekhar, IFS, Former D.C.M. Embassy of India, and Ambassador Anil Trigunayat, Chairman Millennial Indian Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture were present during the facilitation ceremony, which was sponsored by Aditya Birla Group.

In his address Ambassador Chang Jae-bok, ROK to India said that Korea organized a series of events in India not only to promote Korean culture here but also to inform Indians about the strong relationship both the nations had in the field of art, culture and other areas.

Informing about India’s biggest Korean festival “Rang De Korea”, which was a 2-day event started on Saturday in Delhi involving Korean Wedding, K-pop performances and others, the Ambassador said that next year 2023, the 50^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, there were plans to organized a series of events throughout the year not only in the field of culture, but also academic, tourism etc, and he expected many high level visits  from South Korea.

While wishing all the best to Ambassador Amit Kumar for his new stint in South Korea, Ambassador Skand Ranjan Tayal, said that he would have a great time there as ambassadors his predecessors as Amb Shashank, and Vishnu Prasad had laid a strong foundation.

He went on to suggest that Indo-Koran Friendship Park in Delhi could be an ideal venue for some kind of events such as K-pop, and others that can attract thousands of people there. When he was ambassador in ROK, he recalled his moments there with the senior journalists, and also diplomats. Ambassador Tayal said, “People in South Korea are with very positive attitude and warmth towards India-ROK relations.”

India-Republic of Korea Friendship Society general Secretary Parth Sharma, informed the dignitaries about the upcoming two events. “One is being held by the end of this year in Kaziranga National Park – a place for one-horn rhinos followed by two days of golfing event. Its going to be a corporate. Another chapter of Indo-Korea friendship will be a cultural evening at the Indo-Korean Friendship Park in New Delhi and we hope that a huge number of people participate in it,” Sharma added.

While thanking the Ambassadors of India and South Korea, and other diplomats and corporates heads for sparing their valuable time, Euy Don Park wished Ambassador Amit Kumar all the best for his new journey in Korea.

“India-Republic of Korea Friendship Society is the only society in India that has participation of Korean expat and also Indian members who love Korea and its culture. In this society 15 board members interact closely, and exchange relevant information and ideas. After the pandemic period we are starting again,” Park added.

While sharing society’s vigorous plans for the next two years Park said it was a good opportunity to lift society to next level of community. Next year is the 50^th year of diplomatic relations between the two countries and next year 2024 would be the 70^th anniversary of Korean expats community in India.

The facilitation ceremony also witnessed the presence of Dr. Vinod K Verma, Sr. Vice President-Group Corporate, Aditya Birla Group, Jin Hwa Song, Minister Counsellor in the Korean Embassy, Park Tae lin, Managing Director, Kia Motors, Chun Sung Rae, Managing Director, Posco, Kim Hak Hyun, Director, LG, Lee Si Yeon, Managing Director, Hyosung,  Ravi Gupta, CEO of Tata Green Batteries Pvt. Ltd., Anurag Gupta, Senior Consultant, CIl, Ms. Kim Min Sun, Minister Counsellor, Lee Jong Hyup, Counsellor (Pol), Kim Sung Ho, Managing Director, SD Bio Sensor, HS Duggal, Chairman, MINAR Group, Sandeep Arya, CEO, AMTRAK, and Amb. Amar Sinha, Former Secretory (ER),

Also present on the occasion were Hong Seong Chang, Managing Director, NH Bank, Keong Gyu Yeong, Managing Director – Mirae Construction, Yoon Hak Nha, Managing Director – Innoceon, Sanjeev K Ahuja, Editor-in-Chief & CEO, Asian Community News (ACN) Network, Bhargav Mitra, Secretary-India-Republic of Korea Friendship Society Tshering W. Sherpa, Joint Secretary-NSCS, Dr. M.M. Goel, Vice-chancellor at Starex, University, Prof. Sandeep Mishra, JNU, Peter Lee, Director, Samsung Electronics,

Lee Sang Hun, Director, Mirae Construction, Lt. General AS Lamba (Retd.), PVSM, AVSM, retired as Vice Chief of Army Staff, Bin Jun Hwa, Managing Director, KOTRA, Kang Hyun Seok, Managing Director, Samsung Electronics, and Kim Eun Soo, Managing Director, Hyundai Motors.

Lim Young Gi, Managing Director, Doosan, Cho làng Hyun, Managing Director, Elantech, Lee Sang Wook, Managing Director, Kookdo Chemical, Dr. V. M. Bansal, Chairman New Delni Institute of Management, Arvind Aggrawal Founder, DocMaster, Harsh Dhingra, Former Country Head. BOMBARDIER Park Yong Gun, Managing Director, Hyundai MOBIS, Park Sung Heom, Managing Director, Focustech, Lee Gwang, Managing Director, Shinkwang Electronics, Viktor Lee, Counselor High Commission of Seoul Canada, Descendent of Princess of Ayodhya, Kim Kwang Woo, First Secretary, Embassy, Republic of Korea, Dr. Y. S. Kim, Prof. Korean language, Jamia Millia Islamia, Satyanshu Srivastava, Assistant Professor JNU, Dr. Ranjit Kumar Dhawan, Assistant Professor Delhi University, and Seo Hoon, Director, POSCO, were also present to wish good luck to Ambassador Amit Kumar.