Beijing Voices Concerns Over India-South Korea Defense Partnership

April 25, Kathmandu — India and South Korea have expanded their historic strategic partnership to elevate their defense and economic relations to new heights. During South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s recent three-day visit to India, high-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi further strengthened ties between the two countries. The visit resulted in agreements to enhance cooperation in future-critical sectors such as shipbuilding, defense manufacturing, and artificial intelligence.

President Lee expressed full support for India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, pledging active South Korean collaboration in the production, operation, and technological development of Indian defense equipment.

The most successful and robust example of defense cooperation between the two nations is the ‘K-9 Vajra’ 155mm self-propelled howitzer. Based on South Korea’s K-9 Thunder design, this artillery piece is produced domestically in India through technology transfer from the South Korean company Hanwha Aerospace. Currently, the Indian Army operates nearly 100 of these advanced howitzers, with another 100 procurement contracts nearing completion. These howitzers have been specially modified for the Indian Army’s needs, optimized for deployment in high-altitude desert and Ladakh regions, significantly enhancing India’s military capabilities.

Analysts suggest that China views the expanding collaboration, particularly in artillery and anti-aircraft artillery, as highly sensitive. Given the long-standing territorial disputes along the Himalayan border, Beijing perceives the equipping of the Indian Army with South Korea’s cutting-edge military technology as a strategic challenge. India’s growing defense self-reliance combined with support from a technologically advanced partner like South Korea is shifting regional power dynamics, prompting China to regard these developments with skepticism.