23–25 October 2026 | Online via Zoom
The India–Korea Forum (IKF) is pleased to announce the official three-day programme of the India–Korea International Conference 2026 (IKIC 2026), scheduled to take place online from 23 to 25 October 2026.
Bringing together scholars, researchers, academics, and experts from 12 countries and territories, the conference will feature 150+ academic presentations across 24 thematic sessions, alongside a distinguished keynote address, expert talks, a special book talk, and industry insights.
Conference Theme
“Emerging Technologies, New Geopolitics, and Societal Transformation: Building a Future-Oriented India–Korea Partnership”
IKIC 2026 aims to foster international academic dialogue on the technological, geopolitical, economic, cultural, and societal transformations reshaping the contemporary world, with particular emphasis on their implications for India, South Korea, and the future of bilateral cooperation.
The conference will explore diverse themes, including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, cybersecurity, critical minerals, Indo-Pacific geopolitics, economic security, trade and investment, sustainable development, education, cultural diplomacy, creative industries, and societal transformation.
Three-Day Conference Programme
Day 1 | Friday, 23 October 2026
The conference will begin with an Opening Ceremony, featuring welcome remarks by Prof. Rajiv Kumar, Director of the India–Korea Forum and Organizing Chair of IKIC 2026, followed by congratulatory remarks from Prof. Chanwahn Kim, Dean of the Graduate School of International and Area Studies, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.
The keynote address will be delivered by Prof. Shiho Kim, Yonsei University, on “India–Korea Collaboration in the Age of AI: Autonomous Mobility, Quantum Computing, and AI Innovation.”
Day 1 will feature eight thematic academic sessions, covering semiconductor geopolitics, biomedical innovation, cinema and cross-cultural narratives, AI governance, historical connections, labour mobility, startups, and consumer markets.
Special highlights include a Book Talk by Prof. Ingyu Oh, Kansai Gaidai University, and a Special Industry Insights Talk by Mr. Vishnu Bhan, Aleph INDIA Group, examining standards, compliance, and quality infrastructure in India–Korea business cooperation.
Day 2 | Saturday, 24 October 2026
Day 2 will feature ten thematic academic sessions (Sessions 9–18), examining advanced engineering and artificial intelligence, gender and popular culture, critical minerals, democracy and digital participation, Indo-Pacific security, India–Korea trade and CEPA, Hallyu, disaster resilience, cybersecurity, and cultural diplomacy.
The programme will also feature expert talks by:
- Prof. Jagannath Panda, Institute for Security and Development Policy, Sweden — “India, Korea and the Digital Diary of Northeast Asia.”
- Ms. Doyeon Kim, Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP), South Korea — “India’s Renewable Energy Transformation: New Frontiers for Korea–India Cooperation.”
Day 3 | Sunday, 25 October 2026
The final day will feature six thematic academic sessions (Sessions 19–24), focusing on technology geopolitics, economic security, education and digital innovation, creative industries, sustainable development, comparative literature, and Korean popular culture.
Distinguished expert talks will include:
- Prof. Hanumant Singh Shekhawat, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati — “Modeling Human Emotions and Mental Health: Perspectives from India and South Korea.”
- Prof. Ivica Petrikova, Royal Holloway, University of London — “India’s Food Security Policies: Universalism, Commercialism, and Politicisation.”
- Prof. Rajiv Ranjan, University of Delhi — “Beyond the Westphalian Order: A Pluriversal Understanding of India–Korea Relations.”
The conference will conclude with reflections by Prof. Rajiv Kumar, Organizing Chair of IKIC 2026.
Strengthening India–Korea Academic Cooperation
Beyond individual presentations and discussions, IKIC 2026 seeks to strengthen international research networks, encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, and promote deeper understanding of the emerging challenges and opportunities shaping India–Korea relations.
By bringing together perspectives from different countries and academic disciplines, the conference aims to contribute to a more inclusive, innovative, and future-oriented India–Korea partnership.
Conference at a Glance
- Conference: India–Korea International Conference 2026 (IKIC 2026)
- Dates: 23–25 October 2026
- Format: Online via Zoom
- Academic Presentations: 150+
- Thematic Sessions: 24
- Countries and Territories Represented: 12
- Organizer: India–Korea Forum (IKF) | 한–인도 포럼
- Operated by: IKF Knowledge Ventures
