India, South Korea Begin First Naval Exercise IN-RoKN

The first bilateral exercise ‘IN-RoKN’ between the Indian Navy and the Navy of the Republic of Korea has commenced at the Busan Naval Base in South Korea. Under the ongoing operational deployment in the South China Sea and the Indo-Pacific region, the Indian Naval Ship INS Sahyadri is representing the country.

• Under the ongoing operational deployment in the South China Sea and the Indo-Pacific region, the Indian Naval Ship Sahyadri arrived at the Busan Naval Base in South Korea on 13 October 2025 to participate in the first bilateral exercise IN-RoKN between the Indian Navy (IN) and the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN).
• During this visit, the ship’s crew will participate in the harbor and sea phases of the inaugural edition of the IN-RoKN bilateral exercise.
• As part of the harbor phase, officers from IN and RoKN will engage in cross-deck visits, share best practices, conduct cross-training sessions, and take part in sports events.
• The RoKN accorded a warm welcome, underlining the growing navy-to-navy interactions and strategic partnership between the governments of India and the Republic of Korea.
• Indigenously designed, built, and commissioned in 2012, INS Sahyadri is the third ship of the Shivalik-class guided missile stealth frigates.
• The ship is an excellent example of India’s “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” vision and has participated in several bilateral and multilateral exercises as well as operational deployments.
• The ship is based in Visakhapatnam as part of the Eastern Fleet under the Eastern Naval Command.
• The Commanding Officer will meet senior RoKN officers and local dignitaries. After the harbor phase, the sea phase will follow, during which INS Sahyadri and ROKS Gyeongnam will conduct joint exercises.

India and the Republic of Korea

• Relations between India and South Korea date back nearly 2000 years. It is believed that Princess Suriratna of Ayodhya married King Kim-Suro of Korea. A joint postage stamp has also been issued in view of the marital relations between the two countries.
• Buddhism originated in India but spread to China, Japan, and Korea; such cultural ties bring the two countries closer.
• Political relations between India and South Korea began after South Korea’s independence in 1945. India’s Mr. K.P.S. Menon was the chairman of the 9-member United Nations Commission formed in 1947 to conduct elections in Korea.
• In 2006, the state visit of the then President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, to the Republic of Korea marked the beginning of a new era in India–Korea Republic relations.
• In 2019, Prime Minister Modi’s visit to South Korea was significant when he was awarded the Seoul Peace Prize. Thus, the political relations between the two countries have become very strong.