1st Edition

India and the Republic of Korea Engaged Democracies

By Skand R. Tayal Copyright 2014
    316 Pages
    by Routledge India

    316 Pages
    by Routledge India

    Examining the underlying logic of the strategic and economic partnership between the Republic of Korea and India, this book is the first detailed study of the numerous facets — cultural, economic, people-to-people, and strategic — of blossoming relations between two major Asian democracies. This comprehensive survey documents the interaction between the two governments, relying on facts and hitherto unpublished original records provided by India’s Ministry of External Affairs; offers an illuminating account of India’s active role as a neutral party in the post-Second World War events of the Korean War and the division of the Korean Peninsula; and provides a vision of the future direction of India–Korea relations. The author also shares candid observations of Korean society and its people during his service as Ambassador of India in Seoul.

    The work will be useful to policy makers as well as students of politics and international relations, strategic studies, economics, and contemporary world history.

    Abbreviations. Foreword by C. Raja Mohan. Preface. Acknowledgements. 1. Legends and Myths 2. Korea and India: The Beginning 3. Korea after World War II 4. Period of Apathy (1953–72) 5. Period of Increasing Interaction (1973–92) 6. Blossoming of Relations (1993–2003) 7. Evolution towards a Strategic Partnership (2003–12) 8. Evolution of Trade and Economic Relations 9. People-to-People Relations 10. Education, Research and Training 11. Indo-Korean Cultural Relations 12. The Way Ahead. Epilogue. Annexures. Bibliography. About the Author. Index

    Biography

    Skand R. Tayal is Visiting Professor at the Department of East Asian Studies, University of Delhi, and former Ambassador of India to the Republic of Korea.

    ‘Though India remains deeply invested in its engagements with the Korean peninsula, our diplomatic ties are yet to be publicly recounted and understood . . . A valuable resource for students and policy makers alike . . . Ambassador Tayal [brings] a nuanced perspective to a little known aspect of our foreign affairs.’ — Shashi Tharoor, Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Member of Parliament and former Minister of State, Ministry of External Affairs, India

    ‘A comprehensive and authoritative narrative of the whole gamut of India–ROK bilateral relations, [this will be] a valuable reference tool for both diplomats and academics.’ — Yu Myung-Hwan, Former Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea

    ‘A rich source of information and valuable insight.’ — Sudhir T. Devare, Former Ambassador of India to the Republic of Korea, and former Director General, Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi, India

    ‘An insightful, balanced and elegant account of the evolution of India and Republic of Korea relations [and their] economic and strategic partnership . . . this well-researched volume is a must-read.’ — Yashwant Sinha, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) and former Minister of External Affairs, India

    ‘A major landmark on the road to enhance the scholarship around India–ROK relations.’ — Han Sung-Joo, Former Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea

    ‘This concise documentation . . . will remain for a long time to come an indispensable vade mecum.’ — Ra Jong-Yil, Professor, Division of International Studies, Hanyang University, Seoul, former NSA to the President, and Ambassador to Japan and the United Kingdom

    ‘[A] valuable and insightful analysis of history, diplomacy, culture, education, trade and economy in the bilateral context . . . Readable and informative, India and the Republic of Korea: Engaged Democracies is highly recommendable.’ — Kim Dal-Choong, Professor Emeritus, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea