रक्षा मंत्री राजनाथ सिंह ने Seoul में India‑South Korea रक्षा संबंधों को गहरा करने के लिए MoUs पर हस्ताक्षर किए

<p><strong>Overview</strong>: On <strong>20 May 2026</strong>, <strong>Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh</strong> met <strong>Minister of National Defence, Republic of Korea (RoK) Mr Ahn Gyu‑back</strong> in Seoul. The talks covered the full spectrum of defence cooperation – from industry and production to maritime security, emerging technologies and logistics. Both sides pledged to strengthen a <span class="key-term" data-definition="Act East Policy — India’s foreign policy initiative to deepen economic and strategic ties with East‑Asian nations; crucial for GS2: Polity and GS3: International Relations">Act East Policy</span>‑aligned partnership and a rule‑based <span class="key-term" data-definition="Indo‑Pacific — Geopolitical region spanning the Indian and Pacific Oceans; central to India’s strategic outlook in GS2: Polity and GS3: International Relations">Indo‑Pacific</span> outlook.</p> <h2>Key Developments</h2> <ul> <li>Three <span class="key-term" data-definition="MoU — Memorandum of Understanding, a formal agreement outlining cooperation areas; relevant for GS2: Polity and GS3: International Relations">MoU</span> signed on Defence Cyber cooperation, joint training between India’s National Defence College and Korea National Defence University, and UN Peacekeeping collaboration.</li> <li>Agreement to create the <span class="key-term" data-definition="KIND‑X — India‑Korea Defence Innovation Accelerator Ecosystem, a platform to merge innovation ecosystems of both countries; important for GS3: Science & Technology">KIND‑X</span> roadmap for joint development, production and export of advanced defence technologies.</li> <li>Business Round‑Table chaired by the Raksha Mantri, bringing together senior officials and defence industry leaders to explore co‑development, co‑production and supply‑chain partnerships.</li> <li>Two commercial agreements between L&amp;T, India and Hanwa Co Ltd, signalling deeper technology transfer and capacity building.</li> </ul> <h2>Important Facts</h2> <p>The Ministry of Defence reported record‑high defence production of <strong>Rs 1.54 lakh crore</strong> and exports of <strong>Rs 40,000 crore</strong> in FY 2025‑26. Projections suggest exports could reach <strong>Rs 50,000 crore</strong> and production rise to <strong>Rs 1.75 lakh crore</strong> within the next two years.</p> <p>Mr Singh highlighted that modern defence ecosystems now rely on advanced electronics, AI, autonomous systems, cyber technologies, sensors, semiconductors, quantum tech and space‑based capabilities. He stressed India’s vibrant innovation network of start‑ups, MSMEs, academia and public enterprises.</p> <p>He also reiterated India’s strategic stance of <span class="key-term" data-definition="No First Use — India’s nuclear doctrine of not using nuclear weapons first; a cornerstone of its security policy in GS2: Polity">No First Use</span>, while warning against nuclear blackmail.</p> <h2>UPSC Relevance</h2> <p>1. <span class="key-term" data-defin