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India–Korea Forum (IKF) Dialogue 2026 – Report | March 28, 2026 | Seoul Global Center

Home India–Korea Forum (IKF) Dialogue 2026 – Report | March 28, 2026 | Seoul Global Center

1. Overview

The India–Korea Forum (IKF) successfully organized a dialogue titled “Shaping the Agenda for a Future-Oriented India–Korea Partnership” on March 28, 2026, at the Seoul Global Center, ahead of the upcoming India–Korea Summit.

The dialogue brought together experts from academia, industry, and emerging leadership communities to discuss key areas of bilateral cooperation, including economic partnership, technology collaboration, global peace, and next-generation leadership.

2. Participants

The forum was conducted with approximately 30 participants, including academics and researchers, industry professionals and entrepreneurs, policy-oriented scholars and students, as well as representatives from India–Korea networks. This ensured a focused and high-quality discussion environment.

3. Speakers

The dialogue featured 24 speakers across four thematic sessions.

  1. Prof. Rajiv Kumar – Director, India–Korea Forum
  2. Mr. Dong-Kyu Kim – Former Director General, KOTRA Bengaluru Trade Office
  3. Prof. Gyan Prakash – Associate Professor, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies
  4. Prof. Anuruddh Kumar – Assistant Professor, Hanyang University
  5. Prof. Srijan Kumar – Associate Professor, Busan University of Foreign Studies
  6. Prof. Priyanka Khati – Assistant Professor, Seoul Christian University
  7. Prof. Neeraj Kumar – Research Professor, Kyung Hee University
  8. Prof. Keshavananda Prabhu C P – Assistant Professor, Gachon University
  9. Prof. Paramasivam Palanisamy – Research Professor, Kyung Hee University
  10. Ms. Ibtsam Qureshi – PhD Scholar, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies & HK+ Fellow
  11. Mr. Jay Lee – Founder, Global Venture Play
  12. Ms. Nidhi Agrawal – Brand Ambassador, Forest Stewardship Council & Co-founder, Kalphabets
  13. Ms. Jee Suk Kang – Director, Academic Relations, Freewheelin
  14. Ms. Poonam Shenoy – LLM in AI Law, Seoul National University
  15. Ms. Shruti Mishra – M.A. Student, Korea University & Former President, EU Society (GSIS)
  16. Mr. Lee Jungbo – Portfolio Manager, Korean Police Mutual Aid Association
  17. Ms. Archana Rawat – Content Strategist & M.A. in Korean Language, Sungkyunkwan University
  18. Ms. Shilpa D. Ramegowda – PhD Scholar, Gachon University & BK21 Fellow
  19. Ms. Manju Shakya – PhD Scholar, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies & HK+ Fellow
  20. Mr. Jeenou Yi – Co-founder & President (International Division), Korea Young Leaders Forum
  21. Ms. Nadia Seltrecht – Co-founder & Executive Director, Smoody Co. Ltd.
  22. Ms. Siddhi Konduskar – Founder & CEO, Kino House
  23. Ms. Priyal Gupta – GKS Scholar & MBA Student, Sungkyunkwan University
  24. Ms. Tina Cho – CEO, We Bring

4. Key Themes of Discussion

The dialogue was structured around four key pillars: economic partnership (CEPA, trade expansion, and evolving India–Korea business ties); technology and innovation (AI, semiconductors, and emerging technologies, along with collaboration opportunities); global peace and strategic cooperation (the role of middle powers and Indo-Pacific policy engagement); and next-generation leadership (youth networks, talent mobility, and the need for institutionalized platforms).

5. Key Outcomes / Takeaways

The dialogue generated several important outcomes:

  • Emphasis on building a future-oriented India–Korea partnership that is holistic, with greater focus on SMEs and startup collaboration, next-generation leadership engagement, and coordinated responses to emerging global challenges
  • Consensus on the need for structured and sustained India–Korea dialogue platforms
  • Agreement to promote India–Korea startup and innovation collaboration, as well as to build next-generation leadership networks
  • Increased visibility of India–Korea cooperation through media and public engagement

The discussions also contributed to shaping policy-relevant ideas ahead of the 2026 India–Korea Summit.

6. Next Steps

Following the dialogue, the India–Korea Forum will focus on:

  • Organizing dedicated conferences and workshops on key issues to foster sustained dialogue for a future-oriented partnership
  • Establishing India–Korea Working Groups on startup collaboration and next-generation leadership
  • Launching a Korean-language magazine on India for a Korean audience
  • Expanding policy outreach, publications, and institutional partnerships  

These steps aim to translate the dialogue into actionable and sustainable frameworks for a future-oriented India–Korea partnership.