India–South Korea Strategic Partnership in Focus at MSCW’s Int’l Seminar

New Delhi, India – An international seminar titled “India–South Korea Strategic Partnership: Cultural and Economic Perspectives” will be held on April 17, 2025, at the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi. The event, organized by Mata Sundri College for Women (MSCW) under the University of Delhi, aims to bring together an esteemed gathering of scholars, diplomats, business leaders, and students to reflect on the evolving relationship between the two nations.

The theme of this year’s seminar is particularly relevant in the current global context, where the ties between India and South Korea have matured into a Special Strategic Partnership. The bilateral relationship has deepened over the last two decades across multiple dimensions — political, economic, cultural, and strategic.

The upgraded status reflects both countries’ priority on their partnership and symbolizes their growing roles in international affairs. Shared democratic values, a commitment to multilateralism, and a mutual belief in the rule of law have laid a solid foundation for cooperation on global platforms.

The seminar will open with an inaugural ceremony attended by distinguished dignitaries. Padma Shri Dr. Sardar Vikramjeet Singh Sahani will deliver the presidential address, while the welcome address will be given by Professor (Dr.) Harpreet Kaur, Principal of Mata Sundri College. The keynote speakers include Professor Charan Singh, CEO and Founder and Director of the EGROW Foundation, and Dr. Zena Chung, Founder and Director of the Indo-Korea Business and Cultural Center (IKBCC). Honourable Sardar Jagdip Singh, Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Korea in India (Chandigarh), will grace the seminar as the Chief Guest.

Former ambassadors Manjeev Singh and Skand Tayal, who have significantly contributed to fostering Indo-Korean relations, will also attend the inaugural ceremony.

Following the inauguration, the first thematic session will explore cultural and economic perspectives of the India–South Korea relationship. This session will be chaired by Dr. S.P. Sharma, Managing Director and Chief Economist at NEO Economists. Eminent speakers such as Dr. Manoranjan Sharma, Chief Economist at Informatics Valuation and Rating in New Delhi; Dr. Neerja Samjadhar, Associate Professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) specializing in Korean Studies; and Sardar Daljeet Singh, Director of the All India Management Association (AIMA), will provide insights into the dynamic interplay between economic engagement and cultural affinity.

The second session will take a forward-looking approach, addressing future India–South Korea cooperation trajectories. Chaired by Professor Sheetal Sharma from the Centre for European Studies, JNU, this session will feature speakers such as Dr. Rahul Raj, Assistant Professor of Korean Studies at JNU; Professor Anil Rai, Dean of International Relations at the University of Delhi; and Dr. Simarjot Singh Kochar, Founder of the World Cultural Hub and former Deputy General Manager of Marketing at ICFA. These discussions will aim to identify opportunities for deepening bilateral cooperation in trade, education, investment, and cultural diplomacy.

The event’s conveners are Dr. Uzma Nadeem, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Studies, and Dr. Avneet Kaur, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science.

Distinguished guests such as Captain L.S. Bhel from the Indo-Dutch Chamber of Business and Sciences and DIG Sardar Pratap Singh, Secretary General of the Sikh Forum, will also be present.

Asian Community News (ACN) Network, led by Sanjeev K. Ahuja, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, will support media coverage for the event as the media partner. The Indo-Korea Business and Cultural Centre (IKBCC) will join the event as the knowledge partner, adding depth to the academic and policy discourse.

A special lunch and networking session is scheduled at the end of the seminar, allowing participants to further engage, exchange ideas, and explore collaborative opportunities. As India and South Korea continue to assert their influence in the Indo-Pacific region, this seminar promises to strengthen mutual understanding and chart new paths for cultural and economic partnership in the years ahead.