India, South Korea sign MoUs to boost defence cooperation

Defence Minister A. K. Antony inspecting a traditional Guard of Honour with his South Korean counterpart Kim Tae-young, in Seoul on September 03, 2010.

India and South Korea today signed two landmark memoranda of understanding (MoU) which are expected to provide a huge boost to the strategic partnership between the two countries.

The two MoUs were signed at the end of 90 minutes of intensive discussions between Defence Minister A K Antony, who is in Seoul on an official visit, and his South Korean counterpart Kim Tae-young.

This is the first ever visit by an Indian Defence Minister to South Korea. Mr Antony is accompanied by a high-level delegation which includes Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar, Vice Admiral R K Dhowan, Lt General K T Parnaik, Dr Prahlada and Mr Sundaram Krishna.

The first MoU signed by Mr Antony and Mr Kim envisages exchange of defence- related experience and information, mutual exchange of visits by military personnel and experts, including civilian staff associated with defence services, military education and training and conduct of military exercises, and exchange of visits of ships and aircraft, as jointly decided between the two countries. It also envisages cooperation in humanitarian assistance and international peace keeping activities. The MoU will remain valid for a period of five years with a provision for its extension by five more years.

The second MoU was signed by the Chief Controller of Research and Development of the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), Dr Prahlada and Vice Commissioner, Defence Acquisition and Procurement Agency (DAPA) of South Korea, Mr Kwon Oh Bong.

To be operational under the overarching umbrella of the India- South Korea Defence Agreement, the MoU aims at identifying futuristic defence technology areas of mutual interest and pursuing R&D works in both the countries. It also envisages co- development and co-production of defence products with Indian industry through DRDO. There will be joint IPR on all the products developed through this mechanism. Some areas of immediate interest such as marine systems, electronics and intelligent systems have been identified as priority tasks, an official press release said.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Antony said New Delhi would be happy to see the defence industry relationship to be more than a buyer-seller relationship and its further evolution into transfer of technology, joint production and joint R&D, among other things. He hoped that his visit would start a new chapter in the already close relationship between the two countries.

Mr Kim said the two MoUs signed today would provide a win-win scenario for the two countries in a number of areas.

The talks covered a wide range of security issues- both regional and global and were marked by warmth, the release said.

Mr Antony said India and South Korea shared a common perception of maintaining peace as well as ensuring safety and security of sea lanes of communication in the region. He said regular exchanges towards ensuring maritime security were important to both countries, especially in securing vital energy supplies that pass through the Indian Ocean.

"It is of particular importance for like- minded countries working in the Gulf of Aden to coordinate efforts and also exchange information on the happenings in the area. We look forward to continued and enhanced cooperation between the navies of India and South Korea in this regard," he said.

Talking about the regional security scenario in the Indian sub-continent, Mr Antony said India lived in a troubled neighbourhood.

"Some call it a fragile region. We have to maintain balance and restraint even in the face of grave challenges to our security. Our intention is to develop friendly and cooperative relations with all our neighbours so that we can focus on our major development needs," he said.

Mr Antony said India saw itself as an integral part of East Asia. India is a founding member of the East Asia Summit (EAS) and as such, looked at the emerging architecture in East Asia as open and inclusive.

"That is why we welcome the decision of ASEAN Foreign Ministers to move towards the inclusion of the United States and Russia as members of the East Asia Summit. We look forward to working closely with South Korea in the emerging architecture in this part of the world," he said.

Earlier in the morning, Mr Antony and his delegation drove down to the National Cemetery in Seoul and laid a wreath there. He also inspected, amid a light drizzle, a traditional colourful inter-services guard of honour presented by the South Korean Armed Forces on arrival at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters.

NNN