The Korea-India Economic Cooperation Forum successfully took place in Hyderabad, fostering enhanced industrial collaboration between the two nations. While inviting Korean companies to invest more in Telangana, the state government not only promised state-of-the-art infrastructure and talent pool, it also offered a dedicated mechanism to handhold Korean investments. The Telangana government promises world-class infrastructure and talent pool and rolls out the red carpet for Korean companies, inviting them to invest more in the state.
 

(L-R) Ambassador Chang Jae-bok, Duddilla Sridhar Babu, Minister of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (ITE&C) and Industries & Commerce (I&C), Telangana

Organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency), the India-Korea Business Cooperation Center, and the Honorary Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Hyderabad with the support of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the event aimed to boost cooperation in various sunrise industries and provided ample opportunities for business networking.

Speaking on the occasion, Duddilla Sridhar Babu, Minister of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (ITE&C) and Industries & Commerce (I&C), Telangana, said, “To address specific needs of the Korean companies, the state government not only offers the state-of-the-art infrastructure and talent pool, it will also have a dedicated desk under Invest Telangana Cell to handhold Korean investments and provide single window service.”

The minister said, “Because of the KOTRA support, the interest of Korean companies increased in manufacturing, technology, semiconductors, and life sciences sectors. I invite KOTRA to set up its office in Telangana also.” 

Chang Jae-bok, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, said that over the past decade, we have witnessed successful implementation of India’s initiatives like ‘Make in India,’ ‘Self-reliant India,’ and ‘Act East.’ “These policies have significantly deepened the bilateral relationship between Korea and India, with trade volumes reaching an all-time high of $27.8 billion in 2022. Major Korean companies such as Samsung, Hyundai, LG, and Kia, along with MSMEs, are actively expanding their investments in India, further strengthening our economic ties,” he added.

In his welcome address, C. Shekhar Reddy, immediate past chairman, CII Telangana, and CMD, CSR Estates Ltd., said, “South Korean companies have been actively investing in Telangana, leveraging the state’s industrial growth and strategic advantages. This is exemplified by companies like Samsung, which has established a significant manufacturing presence in the region.”

Suresh Chukkapalli, the Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Hyderabad, said in India, South Korea continues to dominate some of the sectors that have become household names—Hyundai, KIA, Samsung, etc. In Telangana in the last few years, some of the major Korean brands, such as YoungOne, have moved here. Korean semiconductor company APACT is launching a JV project with ASIP in Hyderabad.

Dr. E Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, Special Secretary for Investment Promotion & External Engagements and VC&MD TSIIC Govt of Telangana, discussed Telangana’s industrial ecosystem and investment policy.

While presenting a Korea-India Economic Cooperation Plan, Ms. Jeongseon Lee, Executive Director of the India-Korea Business Cooperation Center at KOTRA, said, “Major transformations are taking place in the global value chain, and these changes can potentially lead to new prospects for collaboration between India and Korea. For example, global companies are expanding their GCC presence, notably in Hyderabad, to leverage India’s IT talent. These GCCs are not only playing key roles in back-office operations but are also serving as important innovation centers. Several Korean companies have already followed suit to benefit from these advantages. I hope more companies will join these movements in the coming days.”

The forum featured several sessions on successful collaboration cases across different industries. Sanjeev Deshpande, MD & CEO of NTT Data Business Solutions, shared insights on IT collaborations. The semiconductor industry was represented by Venkata Simhadri, CEO of ASIP Technologies. Further presentations were made by Balaji Prabakaran, Head of Product Planning Department at Hyundai Motor India Engineering, and Jayesh Sanghvi, Partner at Ernst & Young, who highlighted other successful collaboration cases.

The forum concluded with a networking dinner, providing participants the opportunity to establish communication channels and explore potential business partnerships. This event marked a significant step forward in strengthening the economic ties between Korea and India.

At a special seminar organized in New Delhi, former diplomats and several intellectuals concurred that India ought to prioritize its national interests, particularly in the region and globally, when engaging with the United States and other influential nations.
 

Dignitaries present during discussion of Indo-US and India’s Neighbourhood in New Delhi

Participating in a panel discussion on ‘Indo-US Relations and India’s Neighborhood’ organized by Shaheed Nanak Singh Foundation, in association with the Post Graduate Government College, Sector 11, Chandigarh, former Indian Ambassador Mr. Kanwal Sibal acknowledged the historical differences between India and the US but highlighted the significant progress in bilateral relations. He cited defense deals and declaration of India as a major ally outside of NATO Major Defense Partner as evidence of improving relations. Mr. Sibal also warned that any instability in India’s neighborhood would advantage China.
 

Also present on this occasion Ex- Ambassador Mr. Shyam Saran suggested that India should not leave any open spaces in its neighbourhood for any other major power to exploit the situation. He said that it has been a long-standing position that unless we get our periphery, our neighbourhood right, it is very difficult for us to play a larger role globally. Thus, managing our neighbourhood is critical in terms of the safeguarding of India’s future.
 

Another illustrious career diplomat Mr. Jayant Prasad too echoed similar opinion. He underscored the necessity of India enhancing its regional engagement and strengthening ties with its neighbours. This, he asserted, would further solidify India’s relationships with the United States, Russia, and China.
 

The event was held to honor Shaheed Nanak Singh’s efforts in promoting communal harmony between Hindus and Muslims during India’s partition.
 

Lord Rami Ranger CBE, Member of the House of Lords, United Kingdom, who is also son of Shaheed Nanak Singh Ji, narrated the role that his father played in uniting Hindus and Muslims during the turbulent times of partition. Shaheed Nanak Singh Ji also believed in humanity and was of the opinion that a country born out of hatred cannot go a long way, he said.
 

Mr. Navneet Soni, former Chief Commissioner of Income Tax and Member of the Board of Trustees of the India International Centre, also graced the occasion and said, “India’s relations with the USA is both at all time high and facing critical challenge. I concur with our panelists’ views that India should keep up the tempo of relations with USA while focusing on our neighborhood.”
 

Highlighting the importance of such discussions, Mr. Vineet Nanda, an alumni of Post Graduate Government College, Chandigarh and Chairman of the FICCI Committee of Housing and Infrastructure for Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh and Uttarakhand said, “Given the recent global developments, the topic of discussion was not only timely, but also apt as our panelists enlightened the audience with nuances of the Indo-US relations and neighbourhood angle of this dynamic relationship.” 
 

The panel discussion was moderated by Hardayal Singh, IRS Retd and an alumnus of the P. G. Government College Chandigarh with several dignitaries, including alumni of Government College, Chandigarh, in attendance.

Maharashtra electorates have conferred a thumping absolute majority of 229 seats to the BJP led alliance in the recently held State Legislative Assembly elections.
 

“As an entrepreneur, I feel that this result is encouraging and beneficial to the overall development of Maharashtra,” said, Dr. Dhanjajay Datar, popularly known and revered as Masala King, CMD of Adil Group of Superstores, Dubai & UAE.

Dr. Dhananjay Datar, Chairman and Managing Director, Adil Group of Super Stores, Dubai
 

As per his observation the economic and industrial development of any state depends upon the stability of the government policies- and to ensure the consistency of such policies, the government should have a strong mandate. Since both the governments at the Centre and State level are from the same alliance, being stable, like-minded and pro-development, they will surely not face challenges like instability, compromise or fear of President’s rule over the next five years. Also, the state will receive abundant funding from the Centre to carry out various crucial development projects, which is promising.

As per Dr. Datar, the last regime of BJP led alliance in Maharashtra demonstrated comprehensive and fast development with its people-centric decisions. The same will be witnessed in the near future. Many vital infrastructure projects are in the final stage of completion and some of them- for example, Samruddhi Expressway, Metro Trains, Bullet Train, Western Dedicated Freight Corridor, Navi Mumbai International Airport, proposed Wadhwan Port etc. are also crucial for national progress.

Dr. Datar expressed, “I am sure that there will be a great boost to investment, communication, import-export and industrial development in Maharashtra, which would result in the economic prosperity of the state. My best wishes to the new government and its visionary leadership.”

• Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal: “It would be great if Tesla manufactures in India. Moving towards electric mobility is beneficial, and if it aligns with national interest, it’s even better.“

• Ambassador Kurt Volker: “India is a rising power that comes across a friendly state with shared values. President Trump personally likes Prime Minister Narendra Modi but that doesn’t stop his transnationalism.”

• Dr. Shashi Tharoor pointed out that the desperation of people from Punjab and Gujarat to migrate reflects a deeper crisis rather than mere aspiration.

• Dr. (Prof.) Venki Ramakrishnan, Nobel Prize-winning Biologist, and Former President, The Royal Society: “One stark reality is that wealth plays a role in longevity as rich people tend to live 10 to 15 years longer than the poor.

• Dr. Manish Gupta, Senior Director at Google DeepMind, said, “India is not a poor country anymore, and we must take bold steps in developing our foundational AI models.

• Dr. Goutam Chattopadhyay, Senior Scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Visiting Professor at Caltech: “Sunita Williams’ return was delayed due to a technical glitch, but on March 19, they will be safely back home.”

• Leander Paes: “We start scouting for talent quite late. As a nation, if we embrace sports science and incorporate DNA testing to assess young athletes whose abilities align with geographical genetics, I believe we can truly make a difference”

• Prof. Ashwani Mahajan, Author, Columnist, and National Co-convenor of Swadeshi Jagran Manch dismissed negative global narratives on India’s poverty, calling them a conspiracy to undermine progress, while Dr. Ashima Goyal Economist and Member of India’s Monetary Policy Committee highlighted that poverty has dropped from 30% to 5%, a historic achievement.

As India navigates global disruptions while striving to achieve its growth objectives on the path to its centennial milestone as an independent nation in 2047, ABP Network, the country’s leading multi-language news network, launched the fourth edition of ABP Network’s Ideas of India 2025 in Mumbai. The two-day long summit was hailed by masses for discussing global movement towards ‘Humanity’s Next Frontier’, and witnessed the convergence of inspiring ideas from the foremost icons leading the charge to make our nation a ‘force for good’.

ABP Network Ideas of India 2025

The summit hosted over 30 thought-provoking sessions with over 50 esteemed speakers exploring India’s role in global socio-cultural, economic and scientific evolution and its future as a global stabilizer in geopolitical affairs. Through the two days, the initiative witnessed the convergence of ideas flowing from policy makers, International experts, social activities, spiritual thinkers, entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors, film stars and celebrities, sports icons, and musicians from all over India who share soul stirring perspectives and stories for people to reflect and action.

Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal emphasized the strong India-U.S. partnership, calling the two nations “force multipliers” rather than competitors. Addressing U.S. tariffs, he reassured that India’s industry is resilient and optimistic about bilateral trade. On Tesla and ‘Make in India’, he said, “It would be great if Tesla manufactures in India. Moving towards electric mobility is beneficial, and if it aligns with national interest, it’s even better.“

Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Author, Politician, and Former International Diplomat, highlighted the paradox of India’s growth story, where economic expansion coexists with rising unemployment and social crises. He pointed out that the desperation of people from Punjab and Gujarat to migrate reflects a deeper crisis rather than mere aspiration. Emphasizing the plight of migrants, he called for investment, employment, and entrepreneurship to ensure migration is a choice, not a necessity. He condemned the demeaning deportation of illegal immigrants, advocating for dignity in repatriation. Tracing India’s historical migration, he noted how Indian laborers and professionals have shaped global economies, citing the resilience of past generations. On India-Canada relations, he took a firm stance against Khalistani extremism, calling for stricter action.

Prof. Ashwani Mahajan, Author, Columnist, and National Co-convenor of Swadeshi Jagran Manch, and Dr. Ashima Goyal, Economist and Member of India’s Monetary Policy Committee, addressed India’s economic transformation, poverty reduction, and job market shifts. Prof. Mahajan dismissed negative global narratives on India’s poverty, calling them a conspiracy to undermine progress, while Dr. Goyal highlighted that poverty has dropped from 30% to 5%, a historic achievement. She emphasized India’s stable, high growth rate averaging 8.3% over three years, leading to a 10% rise in job creation. On youth unemployment, she pointed out that job seekers often refuse opportunities, preferring government jobs for their security. Discussing freebies, Dr. Goyal warned that excessive welfare spending limits infrastructure investment, while Prof. Mahajan criticized “Revdi Culture” for bankrupting states like Andhra Pradesh and Punjab.

Discussing the developments in United States since Donald Trump assumed office, Ambassador Kurt Volker, said, “For Donald Trump, unpredictability is deliberate tactics to create uncertainty and he likes to shock people by saying provocative things to make people react.” He further added, “For Trump, to end the war one has to stop Russia which no one was doing. He also wants Ukraine to pay back to United States for the help it offered.” On India, he said, “India is a rising power that comes across a friendly state with shared values. President Trump personally likes Prime Minister Narendra Modi but that doesn’t stop his transnationalism.”

Speaking in the session “The Science of Ageing- The Yearning for Immortality”, Dr. (Prof.) Venki Ramakrishnan, Nobel Prize-winning Biologist, and Former President, The Royal Society, said, “One stark reality is that wealth plays a role in longevity as rich people tend to live 10 to 15 years longer than the poor. We now understand why exercise, a good sleep cycle, and other healthy habits help slow aging. Avoiding social isolation and maintaining a sense of purpose is crucial. Early health screenings, such as for diabetes, can make a significant difference in ageing.”

Speaking on the topic ‘Transforming India with AI: Why We Need More Data’, Dr. Manish Gupta, Senior Director at Google DeepMind, said, “India is not a poor country anymore, and we must take bold steps in developing our foundational AI models. AI is accelerating progress on a range of critical problems, from drug discovery and plastic pollution to structural biology. Innovations like AlphaFold are helping us solve complex scientific challenges faster than ever before.”

Dr. Goutam Chattopadhyay, Senior Scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Visiting Professor at Caltech was speaking in the session, ‘Transforming India with AI: Why We Need More Data’, when he confirmed, “NASA is not keeping Sunita Williams in space. Sunita Williams’ return was delayed due to a technical glitch, but on March 19, they will be safely back home.” He added, “ISRO and NASA are collaborating on a project right now. ISRO is doing great and executing successful missions. Astronomy truly opens up your vision to the universe and it is a big mystery that we are trying to solve.”

In a mega sporting panel, Viswanathan Anand, 5-time World Chess Champion, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri and Arjuna Awardee; Geet Sethi, 9-Time World Champion of Billiards/Snooker and Founder of Olympic Gold Quest; Prakash Padukone, All England Open Badminton Champion, Padma Shri and Arjuna Awardee; Leander Paes, Indian Olympic Medalist, Grand Slam Winner, International Tennis Hall of Fame member, and Entrepreneur, Founder of Flying Man Ventures discussed the next frontiers of sports in India.

Leander Paes said, “I am concerned about tennis. Our association is currently facing the Supreme Court. We should learn from what the BCCI has done for cricket and follow its model of establishing hundreds of cricket clubs in every region of India. We start scouting for talent quite late. As a nation, if we embrace sports science and incorporate DNA testing to assess young athletes whose abilities align with geographical genetics, I believe we can truly make a difference.”

Geet Sethi added, “The reason why we are not producing Olympic level sportspersons is that sports in India don’t have the money for the talent to be nurtured. Socioeconomics, genetics, and subconscious self-belief are the three things which will drive India to sporting excellence.” 

Prakash Padukone said, “We have abundant talent in the country, but many previously lacked opportunities. Over the last 15 years, this has changed significantly. The sports federations must be professionalized. Talent is not the issue, nor is funding a problem now. The government is doing its part, and people are receiving support, but it is crucial that sports federations become more involved. These federations need to operate like corporations. Federations control the sports. It is their responsibility to encourage and promote sports.” 

Viswanathan Anand, said, “In India, I work to identify talent and provide them with all the resources they need. Winning medals will inspire more people to take up sports as a career option. When sports become a mass movement in our country, that’s when true transformation will happen. Currently, we are competitive in sports but often miss out narrowly. We shouldn’t be satisfied with these close misses; that’s how we will grow as a sporting nation. In India, federations should be reformed to become more accommodating and spontaneous. Many chess players have started their own academies.”

ABP Network’s Ideas of India 2025, centred around the theme ‘Humanity’s Next Frontier’, will bring together thought leaders and innovators to explore the challenges and opportunities posed by India’s rise in a rapidly evolving world. In the face of climate change, geopolitical conflicts, and technological advancements such as AI, the summit delved into India’s role as both an ancient civilisation and a demographic powerhouse in shaping the future. The two-day summit gathers a confluence of ideas from global thought leaders, intellectuals, and change makers, covering transformative possibilities in science, medicine, social contracts, and global leadership, with experts from diverse fields offering bold visions for a better, more sustainable world for all.

Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, and Founder Chancellor of Lovely Professional University, is participating as a distinguished member of the Indian Parliamentary Delegation visiting the Russian Federation on May 23 and 24. The cross-party delegation represents a unified Indian voice on the global stage, reaffirming the nation’s commitment to combating terrorism and strengthening its longstanding relationship with Russia.

Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal Joins Indian Parliamentary Delegation to Russia

The visit comes as part of India’s broader diplomatic outreach following the 22 April Pahalgam terrorist attack, under an initiative known as Operation Sindoor, a national effort to build international consensus against terrorism. The delegation includes Members of Parliament from across political parties, including BJP, DMK, and AAP, demonstrating collective political resolve on a matter of pressing national and global importance.

In Moscow, Indian MPs held high-level discussions with representatives from both houses of the Russian Parliament. Key topics included counter-terrorism cooperation, inter-parliamentary dialogue, and regional economic connectivity.

Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal commented, “We exchanged views on urgent global challenges, particularly the rising threat of terrorism. Such international dialogues are critical in building partnerships that promote peace and security. Russia has been a consistent and trusted partner of India, and this visit reaffirms our mutual determination to confront forces that undermine global harmony.”

The Russian side expressed strong solidarity with India following the Pahalgam attack and voiced support for a unified global stance against extremism.

India and Russia share a decades-long strategic partnership anchored in mutual trust, aligned geopolitical interests, and robust defence collaboration, from the Indo-Soviet Treaty of 1971 to the co-development of the BrahMos missile system. This relationship has helped spur bilateral trade to $65 billion in FY 2023–24. Their close cooperation in multilateral platforms such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) further reflects a joint push for a multipolar global order and a united front against cross-border terrorism.