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Vivek Sharma, New Delhi, India: New Delhi is set to host the 27th World Korea Forum 2026 from 18 to 20 August 2026, bringing together academics, policymakers, diplomats, geopolitical experts, business representatives and opinion leaders from India, South Korea and several other countries for discussions on the rapidly changing global order.

Organised by the Korea Global Foundation and co-hosted with the University of Delhi, the three-day forum seeks to provide a platform for examining contemporary geopolitical, geoeconomic and cultural transformations and exploring future-oriented cooperation, coexistence, peace and prosperity.

According to the organisers, the choice of New Delhi reflects India's growing significance in global affairs. The forum's background material describes India as a major power across economics, development, military affairs, geography, population, culture, history and diaspora, with the Indian diaspora also playing an influential role across several regions.

The forum comes at a time when strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific is intensifying, with major powers and regional countries increasingly focusing on economic, security and geopolitical interests in the region. The organisers highlight India's Act East Policy, its engagement with the Indo-Pacific and its role in platforms associated with the Global South, BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation as important elements of the changing regional landscape.

The central discussions of the forum will cover a broad range of subjects, including Korea-India relations, the Indo-Pacific, the Korean Peninsula, international security, the global economy, multilateralism, the Global South, diaspora, culture and future international cooperation.

The opening sessions are scheduled to address the changing geopolitical order and India's role in the emerging international environment. The programme includes discussions on the status of Korea-China-Japan studies and education in India, India's future development, Korea-India relations and strategic solidarity in the Indo-Pacific era. It also features discussions on strengthening Korea-India diplomatic and economic partnerships in an era of multipolarity.

The forum will also devote substantial attention to the Korean Peninsula and security environment in Northeast Asia. Sessions will examine denuclearisation, nuclear self-reliance, inter-Korean relations, US-DPRK relations, North Korea's relations with China and Russia, and India's interests and strategic role on the Korean Peninsula.

Another major area of discussion will be peace, reconciliation and Korean unification. Speakers are scheduled to examine the role of multilateral groups and the Global South, India's perspective on Korean unification, economic engagement between the two Koreas, common security and the prospects for peace on the Korean Peninsula.

The international dimension of the forum will extend beyond the Korean Peninsula. Sessions will explore the evolving international order, the role of great and middle powers in the Indo-Pacific, India's and China's perspectives on global changes, relations between India, the EU and emerging powers, and possible reforms to global governance mechanisms. Scholars and experts from countries including South Korea, India, China, Russia, Italy, Spain, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and the United Kingdom are listed in the programme.

Economic cooperation will form another important component. Discussions will focus on economic security, fair trade, the political economy of BRICS and the Global South, Korea-India economic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific era, ASEAN political economy, and economic cooperation involving Russia and the DPRK.

The forum will also highlight the contribution of the Korean community and diaspora. Sessions will examine the Korean community in India and its economic and cultural contributions, the meaning and influence of diaspora in a global era, Korean diaspora literature, Indian diaspora and transnationalism, diasporic Koreans and their ethnic homeland, and Korean communities in Central Asia.

Culture and intellectual exchange will provide another dimension to the programme. Sessions include discussions on Rabindranath Tagore, Indian philosophy, culture and civilisation, K-Culture and K-Philosophy, migration and South-South cooperation, and the Gandhi-Nehru political philosophy framework.

The organisers describe the New Delhi forum as an effort to understand a changing world through geopolitical, geoeconomic and cultural perspectives while encouraging dialogue and cooperation among global opinion leaders. The broader objective is to share the vitality of changing societies and contribute towards a common vision for peace, stability and prosperity in world politics, diplomacy, military affairs, economy, technology, culture and diaspora affairs.

The 27th World Korea Forum in New Delhi is therefore expected to provide a significant platform for India-Korea dialogue and wider international exchange, while seeking to build bridges of public diplomacy and diaspora cooperation during a period of major global transition.

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Vivek Sharma, New Delhi, April 20, 2026: India and South Korea have taken a significant step toward enhancing their bilateral ties, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung unveiled a comprehensive roadmap to strengthen cooperation across trade, technology, and key strategic sectors. The announcements were made during President Lee’s first visit to India after assuming office, following delegation-level discussions in New Delhi.

During a joint press statement, both leaders witnessed the exchange of several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). These agreements indicate a wide-ranging effort to enhance economic engagement and deepen cooperation in both emerging and established sectors.

Prime Minister Modi welcomed President Lee, describing his life as “an inspiring example of struggle, service, and dedication,” and stated that the visit represents an important step in further reinforcing the strategic partnership between the two democracies. Highlighting shared democratic values, Modi noted that the relationship is progressing from a trusted partnership toward a futuristic strategic alliance.

Trade Expansion and CEPA Upgrade

A major outcome of the summit was the decision to substantially increase bilateral trade. Both nations have set a goal to raise trade to $50 billion by 2030, nearly doubling the present volume of around $25–27 billion. To achieve this, the leaders agreed to upgrade the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) within the coming year to better reflect evolving global trade trends.

Industrial Cooperation and Investment Boost

To further enhance industrial ties, Prime Minister Modi announced plans to develop dedicated Korean industrial townships in India. These townships are intended to support the entry and growth of South Korean companies, especially small and medium enterprises, by offering better infrastructure and regulatory assistance.

An Industrial Cooperation Committee will also be set up as a ministerial platform to strengthen business engagement and promote trade and investment between the two countries.

Financial and Economic Mechanisms

To support expanding economic relations, both sides announced the establishment of new institutional mechanisms. The India-Korea Financial Forum will help ensure smoother capital movement and boost investment partnerships, while an Economic Security Dialogue will focus on critical technologies and supply chain resilience.

Additionally, discussions were held on simplifying regulatory processes for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), enabling smoother industrial cooperation and business activities.

India-Korea Digital Bridge

A key highlight of the summit was the launch of the “India-Korea Digital Bridge,” a long-term initiative aimed at strengthening cooperation in advanced technology sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and information technology.

This initiative reflects the shared vision of both nations to build resilient supply chains and future-ready industries. Collaboration in areas like chip manufacturing, advanced technologies, and innovation ecosystems is expected to play a significant role in shaping the partnership.

Expanding Cultural and People-to-People Ties

Beyond economic and technological engagement, both leaders emphasised the importance of cultural and people-to-people connections. They noted the increasing popularity of Korean culture in India and identified films, animation, gaming, and entertainment as growing areas of engagement.

On cultural ties, the Prime Minister remarked, “India and Korea share cultural ties dating back thousands of years. The story of Princess Suriratna of Ayodhya and King Kim Suro of Korea from 2,000 years ago is our shared heritage.” He added, “Today, K-Pop and K-Dramas are becoming very popular in India. Similarly, the recognition of Indian cinema and culture is growing in Korea. We are delighted that President Lee himself is a fan of Indian cinema. To strengthen this cultural connect, we will organize the India-Korea Friendship Festival in 2028.”

Quoting Rabindranath Tagore, the Prime Minister concluded, “Nearly 100 years ago, India’s great poet, Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, called Korea the ‘Lamp of the East.’ Today, Korea is a vital partner in realizing our resolve for a ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ (Developed India 2047). Let us, through our partnership, pave the way for the progress and prosperity of both our countries and the entire world.”

Global and Strategic Cooperation

The leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments, underlining the importance of stability and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. They agreed to deepen collaboration in areas such as green energy, critical technologies, and supply chain security.

Prime Minister Modi welcomed South Korea’s participation in global initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, highlighting a shared commitment to sustainable development and environmental responsibility.

Vision for the Future

President Lee appreciated India’s development progress and its long-term growth vision, while both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to building a forward-looking partnership. The visit, the first by a South Korean president to India in over eight years, is being regarded as a major milestone in bilateral relations.

The summit concluded with Prime Minister Modi accepting an invitation to visit South Korea in the near future, indicating continued high-level engagement between the two nations.

With expanded engagement across economic, technological, cultural, and strategic domains, India and South Korea have laid the groundwork for a deeper and more comprehensive partnership in the coming years.

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Vivek Sharma, New Delhi, April, 2026: Korean Cultural Centre India successfully hosted the ‘K-Dream Stage: All India K-Pop Grand Championship 2026’ at the Yashobhoomi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. The grand event was organised at a large-scale venue and marked India’s largest K-pop competition and served as a grand finale of the long-running ‘All India K-Pop Contest,’ now in its 16th year since its inception in 2011. It became a vibrant platform for cultural exchange where the youth of Korea and India came together through music. Distinguished guests, including First Lady Kim Hea Kyung; Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Chae Hwi Young; and Co-Chair of the Popular Culture Exchange Committee Park Jin Young, attended the event along with around 3,000 local Hallyu fans, creating an electrifying atmosphere. 

The event was structured into pre-event, main event, and post-event segments. The pre-event featured a K-pop Random Play Dance led by seven leading dancers, where around 50 audience members freely joined in dancing near the stage, energizing the crowd. 

During the main event, welcoming remarks by Minister Chae Hwi Young were followed by a congratulatory message from First Lady Kim Hea Kyung. Minister Chae expressed his appreciation, stating that while he had long been aware of India’s love for K-culture, seeing such a large and enthusiastic audience filled him with emotion. First Lady Kim remarked that she hopes the event would serve as a meaningful opportunity to further deepen and expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges between Korea and India. 

The main event began with the three performances in the vocal category – Abhipriya Chakraborty, Shruti Dasgupta, Unnati Singh Bilwal, followed by the three in the dance category – MIXDUP, OUTKASTS, 3Plus4Crew – each delivering a five-minute performance. 

Judges including Park Jin Young, Lee Woo Chang (HYBE India), and dancer Lip J highly praised the participants’ skills. Park Jin Young noted that the Indian contestants’ Korean pronunciation and emotional expression were impressive, adding that while technique is important, connecting with the audience through genuine emotion is even more crucial.

The event also featured performances by invited artists X:IN (including Indian member Aria), Dhvani Bhanushali, and Younite. During the awards ceremony, Park Jin Young personally presented the vocal category awards, while Minister Chae Hwi Young presented the dance category awards. The post-event segment included interactive sessions between the artists and the audience, which received an enthusiastic response. 

This competition served as a grand championship featuring only the top 36 winning teams from across India over the past five years (2021–2025), with 25 teams ultimately participating in the final round. The event brought together passionate performances by young Indian participants and Korean artists, creating a meaningful experience where the youth of both countries could connect and appreciate each other’s cultures. 

Korean Cultural Centre India stated that it will continue to expand Korea–India cultural exchange through K-pop and contribute to the spread of Hallyu and the strengthening of bilateral friendship in India.

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World Bureau, New Delhi: In a historic ceremony held at Outram Lane, Delhi, representatives from the Centre for Arts Language and Cultural Exchange (CALCE) Bharat, Delhi Teachers University, and Vision College of Jeonju, South Korea, came together to formalize a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This agreement marks a significant step in fostering educational and cultural collaboration between India and South Korea, promising mutual benefits for students and faculty alike.

The ceremony, attended by distinguished figures such as Prof. Dhananjay Joshi, Vice Chancellor of Delhi Teachers University, Lee Sang rok, Director at Vision College of Jeonju's Office of International Affairs, and Rakesh Kumar, Patron of CALCE Bharat, symbolized the commitment of these institutions to expand their horizons and explore new avenues of cooperation.

Prof. Dhananjay Joshi, representing Delhi Teachers University, expressed his optimism regarding this collaboration. He believes that this partnership will offer a wealth of opportunities for mutual benefits. He spoke about the possibility of setting up language centers within each institution to facilitate the learning of each other's languages, opening doors to enhanced cultural exchange.

Vivek Sharma, Director of CALCE Bharat, shared similar sentiments. He highlighted the potential for this collaboration to improve the technical proficiency of both students and teachers. The exchange of knowledge and expertise will undoubtedly elevate the quality of education provided by the participating institutions.

Rakesh Kumar, Patron of CALCE Bharat, had a broader perspective in mind. He saw this collaboration as a means of fostering global understanding, emphasizing the concept of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (the world is one family). In a world that is becoming increasingly interconnected, the fusion of cultures and ideas can lead to a more harmonious coexistence.

Lee Sang rok, the Director at Vision College of Jeonju's Office of International Affairs, had high hopes for the future. He believed that this partnership would carve out new pathways for Indian and Korean students, offering them unique opportunities for growth and exploration.

The interaction between students of Delhi Teachers University and the delegation from CALCE Bharat marked a promising start to this collaboration. Rajneesh, Officer of International Affairs at CALCE Bharat, noted that the interaction was not limited to students but also extended to the faculty, ensuring a comprehensive exchange of knowledge and ideas.

One notable aspect of this MoU is that CALCE Bharat becomes the first organization to introduce South Korean institutions in India, a move that holds great potential for the benefit of Indian students.


The MoU's content is carefully crafted to provide a framework for cooperation and understanding among the institutions involved. It serves as a structure for collaboration in several key areas, including academic exchange, research collaboration, cultural exchange, language and art programs, and technical education.

The specific areas of collaboration and project development will be identified by both parties, ensuring that the partnership remains dynamic and responsive to emerging opportunities. Joint committees, composed of representatives from each institution, will oversee the planning and execution of collaborative initiatives, while regular meetings will be held to review progress and explore new avenues for cooperation.

In conclusion, this tripartite MoU represents a significant milestone in fostering educational and cultural ties between India and South Korea. It symbolizes a commitment to mutual growth and collaboration, reflecting the broader spirit of global understanding and unity. As the partnership takes shape, it holds the promise of a brighter future for students, faculty, and institutions on both sides of the agreement. Efforts of many years by CALCE Bharat in many countries had continued. This time the specific by in Bharat and South Korea have now started bearing fruits. CALCE Bharat aims to expand this journey to include mutual exchanges in art, media, radio. CALCE Bharat works with the aim of mutual cooperation between nations identifying their core strengths and weaknesses.

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 Vivek Sharma: 22nd February 2022, New Delhi: Korean Cultural Centre India (KCCI) informed that 61 people participated in its first online event “K-Insider Challenge, Enjoy Squid Game at Home”, with participant’s videos reaching 3.4 million accumulative viewership.


“Squid Game” drama had created a global Hallyu content craze since its release in the second half of 2021 has been in the top 10 on Netflix in India until recently. KCCI choose “Enjoying squid game at home” as this year’s very first topic because the event was intended to encourage indoor physical activity through “squid game” content during the third wave of Corona which was followed by conditional restrictions in the local areas.

Three winners were selected through two time evaluation; netizen evaluation based on the number of video views, comments, and likes, and qualitative evaluation of video content such as creativity and editing ability. Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Samsung Galaxy Earbuds Pro will be given to the winners. Kanyaa Saxena, who took first place, said, “Squid Game is so appreciative that I’ve watched it so many times and I even evoked the dialogues by heart. The overall mechanism of the challenge was very interesting that we started visualizing the very same instant. We sniggered a lot while filming. Launching a challenge on Squid Game when it was so widespread was a clever move. From thinking to uploading it to KCCI was an enjoyable experience. I really thank KCCI to indulge us in such a fun challenge. I was able to spend a fun and fruitful time with my family”.KCCI has been conducting this online participation event called “K-Insider Challenge” under the theme of various Hallyu(Korean Wave) contents from 2021, during the pandemic. Starting with the “Kimchi Introduction” challenge which 132 people participated in last year’s January and February and exceeded 1 million cumulative views of all posts, “K Beauty” event from March to April, 419 participants introduced Korean beauty products, Korean style makeup, and skin care tips which exceeded 2 million cumulative views on online communication network of Korean Cultural Centre India, and “K Cinema, Drama” challenge in May and June, 172 participants described Korean movies and dramas through their videos, and the cumulative number of views recorded 1 million views, finally in July and August, 825 people participated under the theme of “Introducing K-pop to friend”, the total number of cumulative views of the video was 3.6 million.

 Hallyu(Korean Wave) is currently taking shape in all areas of society in India. The source of Hallyu which has formed through K-pop and K-drama is gradually expanding into secondary and tertiary contents such as Korean language, Korean food, fashion, and beauty. According to Duolingo, a world-class language education content provider, Korean is the 5th most popular foreign language in India in 2021, rising up two places from the previous year, and is maintaining an upward trend. In the fashion sector, sales of green and red sportswear featured in “Squid Game” nearly tripled in the month of October 2021 after “Squid Game” was released on Netflix last year according to Flipkart, a substantial e-commerce company. Major fashion brands such as 'Puma India', 'Hermel India', and 'Superkicks India' said that the demand and sales for squid game related sportswear and sneakers have dramatically increased. 'Nykaa', the largest company in the beauty sector, said that the demand and sales of K-beauty products from Korea are continuously increasing rapidly, and about 800 Korean beauty products are being traded on their platform as of the second half of 2021. According to the Euromonitor, a market research firm, the Indian beauty products market is expected to grow at a rate of 9-10% annually from 2021 to 2025, reaching $2.2 billion in 2021. In addition, in the snack field, a Korean snack company, Orion entered India, resulting in a 400% increase in sales in 2021 compared to 2020. The success story of 'Kross Comics', a startup based in Mumbai founded by a Korean, shows the potential of the webtoon market.

Hwang Il-yong, director of Korean Cultural Centre India said, “The source of Hallyu, which was first formed through K-pop and K-drama, is now at an important point in the formation of a full-fledged river by expanding to language, fashion, beauty, food, and lifestyle. Indian economic medias show their interest in the soft power of Hallyu and the creation of added value in the actual local market, and are interested in the development of Hallyu contents and Indian contents market. Korean Cultural Centre India is trying to introduce various Hallyu contents while understanding the atmosphere of the local media and the market.”

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New Delhi, Vivek Sharma: 24th January, 2022, New Delhi: To commemorate the 75th Republic Day on 26th January in India and Korean New Year’s Day in lunar calendar (‘Seollal’) on 1st February, Korean Cultural Centre India (KCCI) distributed 300 Korean sweet rice cakes in the colors of the Indian flag to local people in need today. While celebrating India's Republic Day, KCCI introduced Korean 'New Year' celebration, the culture of sharing food and rice cakes with neighbors.

 Hwang Il-yong, director of Korean Cultural Centre India and Culture & Press Attache (counsellor) of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea said, “I was thinking about how to practice the role of a friend who is with you and cheers you up during difficult times in India amidst the third wave of Corona, and then we planned and carried out this project. I sincerely congratulate India on its 75th Republic Day, which has achieved its independence through a nonviolent pacifist movement despite difficult circumstances and has continued to overcome difficult situations like us, Korea.

He added, in Korea, we also are in celebration mood for our Lunar New Year Day, a great national holiday & festival on 1st February. So we prepared a special gift, sweet rice cake with the meaning of the Lunar New Year, when the whole family gathers to celebrate the New Year and shares rice cakes and food to fulfill the hope and wishes for the New Year. I hope the local people in Delhi will warm their hearts with new hopes this year through this gift of Korean rice cake in 3 colors which symbolizes the national flag of India.”

The Korean food distribution was done in 5 areas of Delhi which includes in North -Kashmiri Gate ISBT & Mori Gate, in West Mahipalpur and Uttam
Nagar, in East East Lajpat Nagar flyover, in South Moti Bagh and Sanjay Camp and in Central at Motilal Nehru camp, New Delhi

A volunteer-oriented non-profit organization (NGO), 'Aasha Aur Pragati' which runs local slum relief and education project for especially vulnerable youth volunteered to deliver the rice cakes and share the joy and hope with people.

 India celebrating its 75th Republic Day since the Constitution of India as an independent republic was enacted and came into effect on January 26, 1950. Although the Constitution had already been passed by the Indian Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949, the reason that it was announced in effect on January 26 of the following year is that India's Declaration of Independence was issued on January 26, 1930, just like Korea's ‘3.1 Declaration of Independence’ on 1st March, 1919 from Japan colonization. Korea has celebrated this March 1st as national holiday for commemorating this Independence declaration. And two countries have the same date of Independence Day, 15th August, Korea achieved its Independence on 15th August, 1945.

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