The Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP) organized an international seminar with the theme "Great Transition in India-Korea Relations: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Friendship" at Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi, India, from October 26th to 27th, 2023. This seminar was jointly organized by KIEP, the India Research Center at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS), and the Center for East Asian Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) to commemorate the 50th anniversary of South Korea-India diplomatic relations. The seminar aimed to facilitate academic exchanges among scholars from both countries in various fields such as economics, culture, education, and diplomacy.

The opening session began with opening remarks by Chanwahn Kim, Director of the Institute of Indian Studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies and Alka Acharya, Chairperson of Centre for East Asian Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University delivering opening remarks. This was followed by speeches by H.E. Mr. Chang Jae-bok of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in India and H.E. Mr. Amit Kumar of the Embassy of India in Seoul, Republic of Korea. Former Ambassador Mr. Joongyu Lee of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in India and Mr. Tayal, the former South Korean Ambassador to India, also delivered keynote speeches. Dignitaries from both countries spoke positively of the 50 years of exchange since the establishment of South Korea-India diplomatic relations and expressed their expectations for further cooperation in the next 50 years.

The first session, entitled "India-Korea Cultural Relations," featured presentations by Professor Vyjayanti Raghavan from Jawaharlal Nehru University on "Social Transformations in India and the Republic of Korea since 1990," and Professor Tchi-Wan Park from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies on "Masala Movie as Globalization of Local Culture - Focusing on the Analysis of 3 Idiots." Then, Professor Geundong Lim of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies presented on "Phonological Examination of Siddhamātṛkā of Tripitaka Koreana: Focus on the Origin of Hunminjeongeum, the Korean Script," and Professor Hawon Ku of Seoul National University discussed "Building New Memories: Princess Heo and Indo-Korean Relations in the 21st Century," shedding light on the historical and cultural relations between South Korea and India.

The second session, titled "India-Korea Relations in the Era of Indo-Pacific Strategies," featured presentations by Professor Sandip Mishra from Jawaharlal Nehru University on "Soft Powers of India and South Korea in Their Bilateral Relations and Beyond," Professor Bongchul Kim from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies on "Legal Infrastructure for Korea-India Relations: Legal Challenges and Prospects for Mutual Development," and Professor Rajiv Kumar from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies on "Setting a New Agenda for the India-Korea Partnership for the Next 50 Years: Exploring Prospects for Semiconductor Cooperation Amid US-China Chip War," where the discussions also delved into the current status and future prospects of South Korea-India cooperation in the Indo-Pacific era.

The third session, titled "India-Korea Economic Relations," featured presentations by Professor Pravakar Sahoo from Delhi University on "India-Korea CEPA: A Critical Evaluation," Dr. Yoon Jae Ro from KIEP on "The Demographic Dividend and Labor Market Opportunities in India," Dr. Kyunghoon Kim from KIEP on "Unlimited Potential: Opportunities and Challenges in Korea-India Development Partnership," and Professor Misu Kim from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies on "Forging Closer Economic Relations between Korea and India." The session assessed the current state of South Korea-India economic and trade cooperation and discussed ways to deepen this cooperation.

The following day, the first session, titled "India's Foreign Policy in a Changing World," featured presentations by Professor Namkwon Mun from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies on "The Growing Advance of India into Latin America," Professor Wansuk Hong from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies on "The Characteristics and Dynamics of Russo-Indian Relations: From the Perspective of South Korea," Professor Sihong Kim from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies on "Multipolarity, Indo-Pacific, and EU-India Strategic Partnership," and Professor Keunhye Shin from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies on "The Image of Thotsakan in Contemporary Thai Society: Focusing on Thai Popular Songs," which provided insights into India's engagement with Latin America, Russia, the European Union, Thailand, and ASEAN, among other topics.

In the second session, titled "Way Forward: India-Korea Relations," Professor Aditi Singh from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies spoke on "Unveiling India and South Korea's Soft Power Symphony: People-to-People Ties and Beyond," Professor Satyanshu Srivastava from Jawaharlal Nehru University discussed "Korean Studies in India: Current Status and Future Prospects," Professor Kaushal Kumar from Jawaharlal Nehru University presented on "The Rise in K-Content Consumption & Digital Influencers in India," and Professor Manish Kumar Barnwal from Jawaharlal Nehru University explored "Korean Literature under the Umbrella of Hallyu: Scope and Possibility in India," shedding light on the cultural exchange and the spread of influence between the two countries.

The third session, entitled "India and International Relations: Lessons for Korea," featured presentations by Professor Hidetaka Yoshimatsu from Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University on "India-Japan Relations in the Evolving Geostrategic Landscape: Implications for Korea," Professor Jozon Angeles Lorenzana from Ateneo de Manila University on "Exchanging Food, Knowledge, and Technology: Possibilities of Filipino-Indian Relations and Lessons for Korea," Professor Le Hang Nga from the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences on "Vietnam-India Political and Cultural Relations: Suggestions for Korea," and Professor Jirayudh Sinthuphan from Chulalongkorn University on "Decolonizing India-Thailand Relations: A Lesson Learned for Korea," where the speakers identified the characteristics of bilateral relations between India and Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand, and provided insights for Korea-India relations.

In the closing session, Deputy President Choongjae Cho of the KIEP Delhi Office suggested strengthening ODA cooperation and normalizing predictable summits . Director Chanwahn Kim of the Institute of Indian Studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies and Professor Sandip Kumar Mishra at Jawaharlal Nehru University celebrated the successful conclusion of the major academic event commemorating the 50th anniversary of Korea-India diplomatic relations and expressed their expectations for the expansion of South Korea-India cooperation through future academic and non-academic exchanges.