Editing Foreign relations of India (section)

===East===
{{See also|East and Southeast Asian relations with Northeast India}}
;China
{{Main|China–India relations}}
{{See also|India–Tibet relations|Hong Kong–India relations}}

[[File:Jawaharlal Nehru Trust Port.jpg|thumb|A Chinese container ship unloads cargo at the [[Jawaharlal Nehru Port]] in India. Bilateral trade between the two countries has surpassed US$65 billion by 2015 making China the single largest trading partner of India.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?tp=on&autono=39431 |title=Indo-China trade to surpass $60 bn before 2010 |newspaper=Business Standard India |date=6 June 2008 |access-date=21 November 2009}}</ref>|220x220px]]Despite lingering suspicions remaining from the 1962 [[Sino-Indian War]], the 1967 [[Nathu La and Cho La incidents]], and continuing boundary disputes over [[Aksai Chin]] and [[Arunachal Pradesh]], Sino-Indian relations have improved gradually since 1988. Both countries have sought to reduce tensions along the frontier, expand trade and cultural ties, and normalise relations.<ref>John W.  Garver,  ''Protracted Contest: Sino-Indian Rivalry in the Twentieth Century'' (2001), post 1950</ref> A series of high-level visits between the two nations have helped improve relations. In December 1996, [[President of the People's Republic of China|PRC President]] [[Jiang Zemin]] visited India during a tour of South Asia. While in New Delhi, he signed with the Indian Prime Minister a series of confidence-building measures for the disputed borders. Sino-Indian relations suffered a brief setback in May 1998 when the Indian Defence minister justified the country's nuclear tests by citing potential threats from the PRC. However, in June 1999, during the [[Kargil War|Kargil]] crisis, then-External Affairs Minister [[Jaswant Singh]] visited Beijing and stated that India did not consider China a threat. By 2001, relations between India and the PRC were on the mend, and the two sides handled the move from [[Tibet]] to India of the 17th [[Karmapa]] in January 2000 with delicacy and tact. In 2003, India formally recognised Tibet as a part of China, and China recognised [[Sikkim]] as a formal part of India in 2004.[[File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi with the President of the People's Republic of China, Mr. Xi Jinping, during G20 Summit 2016, in Hangzhou, China on September 04, 2016.jpg|thumb|The Current Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi and President of China [[Xi Jinping]], at G7 Summit, [[China]] {{small|(2016)}}|left]]Since 2004, the economic rise of both China and India has also helped forge closer relations between the two. Sino-Indian trade reached US$65.47 billion in 2013–14, making China the single largest trading partner of India.<ref>{{cite news |first=Saibal |last=Dasgupta |date=17 January 2008 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-2706372,prtpage-1.cms |title=China is India's largest trade ally – International Business – Biz |work=The Times of India |access-date=21 November 2009 |archive-date=24 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024093515/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-2706372,prtpage-1.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> The increasing economic reliance between India and China has also bought the two nations closer politically, with both India and China eager to resolve their boundary dispute.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=291668 |title=news.outlookindia.com |publisher=Outlookindia.com |access-date=21 November 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050425231736/http://outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=291668 |archive-date=25 April 2005 }}</ref> They have also collaborated on several issues ranging from [[WTO]]'s [[Doha Development Round|Doha round]] in 2008<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=329920 |title=US blames India, China for blocking Doha talks |newspaper=Business Standard India |date=29 July 2008 |access-date=21 November 2009 |archive-date=31 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331142407/http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=329920 |url-status=live }}</ref> to regional [[free trade agreement]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-2798864,prtpage-1.cms |title=India, China to work on FTA recommendations- Foreign Trade-Economy-News-The Economic Times |work=The Economic Times |date=20 February 2008 |access-date=21 November 2009 |archive-date=22 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522033948/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-2798864,prtpage-1.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> Similar to [[India–United States Civil Nuclear Agreement|Indo-US nuclear deal]], India and China have also agreed to cooperate in the field of civilian [[Nuclear power|nuclear energy]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/15/stories/2008011555490100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013173555/http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/15/stories/2008011555490100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 October 2008 |title=Front Page : India, China to promote cooperation in civil nuclear energy |date=15 January 2008 |access-date=21 November 2009 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> However, China's economic interests have clashed with those of India.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Global |first=IndraStra |title=Gauging India's Response to OBOR |url=http://www.indrastra.com/2017/07/Gauging-India-s-Response-to-OBOR-003-07-2017-0013.html |journal=IndraStra |issn=2381-3652 |access-date=13 July 2017 |archive-date=24 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724190246/http://www.indrastra.com/2017/07/Gauging-India-s-Response-to-OBOR-003-07-2017-0013.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Both countries are the largest Asian investors in Africa<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-30143539_ITM |title=Article: India, China top Asian FDI list in Africa. {{pipe}} AccessMyLibrary – Promoting library advocacy |publisher=AccessMyLibrary |date=28 March 2007 |access-date=21 November 2009 |archive-date=16 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216135056/http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-30143539_ITM |url-status=live }}</ref> and have competed for control over their large natural resources.<ref>[http://allafrica.com/stories/200711160462.html Africa: China's Africa Overture Needs Common Touch] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010204148/http://allafrica.com/stories/200711160462.html |date=10 October 2012 }}, 16 November 2007</ref>

There was a tense situation due to the soldiers' [[2017 China–India border standoff|stand-off in Doklam]], Bhutan; but that was resolved early.<ref name="Hindustan Times" /> [[File:Liu Shaoqi and Indira Gandhi.jpg|thumb|220x220px|[[Liu Shaoqi]], the then [[Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress|Chairman]] of the [[Standing Committee of the National People's Congress|Standing Committee]] of the [[National People's Congress]] with [[Indira Gandhi]] when she was the President of [[Indian National Congress]].<ref name=":0">{{cite news|date=6 June 2008|title=Indo-China trade to surpass $60 bn before 2010|newspaper=Business Standard India|url=http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?tp=on&autono=39431|access-date=21 November 2009}}</ref>]]Relations were lost due to [[2020–2021 China–India skirmishes|Galwan Valley skirmishes]]<ref>{{Cite news|last=Sharma|first=Kiran|date=28 May 2020|title=India and China face off along disputed Himalayan border|work=[[The Nikkei]]|url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/India-and-China-face-off-along-disputed-Himalayan-border|access-date=28 May 2020|archive-date=29 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529011033/https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/India-and-China-face-off-along-disputed-Himalayan-border|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Singh|first=Rahul|date=31 March 2021|title=India-China border row: Air forces hold formation in Ladakh|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indiachina-border-row-air-forces-hold-formation-in-ladakh-101617138487983.html|access-date=31 March 2021|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|archive-date=31 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210331004738/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indiachina-border-row-air-forces-hold-formation-in-ladakh-101617138487983.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Timeline of the 2020–2021 China–India skirmishes|its progress]]. India ceased imports of Chinese products.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pandey|first=Neelam|date=16 June 2020|title=Traders' body calls for boycott of 3,000 Chinese products over 'continued' border clashes|url=https://theprint.in/india/traders-body-calls-for-boycott-of-3000-chinese-products-over-continued-border-clashes/442885/|access-date=23 April 2021|publisher=[[ThePrint]]|language=en-US|archive-date=18 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618094901/https://theprint.in/india/traders-body-calls-for-boycott-of-3000-chinese-products-over-continued-border-clashes/442885/|url-status=live}}</ref> Various measures were taken, such as several contracts with the Chinese companies involved in railways, networks and several items productions, which were cancelled in response.<ref>{{cite web|date=23 June 2020|title=States, PSUs back off from Chinese contracts; new orders also scarce as India calls for China boycott|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/economy/economic-face-off-states-psus-lead-china-hit-back/2000090/|access-date=23 April 2021|website=[[The Financial Express (India)|The Financial Express]]|language=en-US|archive-date=23 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423143726/https://www.financialexpress.com/economy/economic-face-off-states-psus-lead-china-hit-back/2000090/|url-status=live}}</ref> 
The outbreak of the [[Covid-19 pandemic in India|Coronavirus pandemic]] from Wuhan also hampered the relations.<ref>{{cite web|last=Roche|first=Elizabeth|date=1 November 2020|title=As pandemic unfolded, ties with China came under severe stress: Jaishankar|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/as-pandemic-unfolded-relationship-with-china-has-come-under-severe-stress-jaishankar-11604170323934.html|access-date=23 April 2021|website=[[Mint (newspaper)|The Mint]]|language=en|archive-date=23 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423143727/https://www.livemint.com/news/india/as-pandemic-unfolded-relationship-with-china-has-come-under-severe-stress-jaishankar-11604170323934.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the straining of the bonds, both sides blamed each other for the conflict on LAC.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mohan|first=Geeta|title=China accuses Indian troops of firing first during Monday's skirmish at LAC|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/china-accuses-indian-troops-of-firing-first-during-monday-s-skirmish-at-lac-1719832-2020-09-08|access-date=23 April 2021|website=[[India Today]]|date=8 September 2020 |language=en|archive-date=23 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423143728/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/china-accuses-indian-troops-of-firing-first-during-monday-s-skirmish-at-lac-1719832-2020-09-08|url-status=live}}</ref> On 29–30 August, it was reported that China had allegedly attempted to cross LAC to attain important hilltops, which was filed by Indian troops, as they were an advantage of acquiring important tops near LAC.<ref>{{cite web|title=China Made 2nd Provocative Action on Aug 31, While Talks to Resolve Aug 30 Face-Off Were On|url=https://thewire.in/security/china-lac-india-pangong-tso-lake-standoff|access-date=23 April 2021|website=[[The Wire (India)|The Wire]]|archive-date=30 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330072128/https://thewire.in/security/china-lac-india-pangong-tso-lake-standoff|url-status=live}}</ref> India banned more than 250 Chinese apps,<ref>{{cite web|last=Arora|first=Devesh|date=24 November 2020|title=Complete list of 267 Chinese apps banned in India: PUBG Mobile, TikTok, AliExpress and more|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/technology/news-list-of-all-chinese-apps-banned-in-india-2020-667131|access-date=23 April 2021|website=indiatvnews.com|publisher=[[India TV]]|language=en|archive-date=23 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423143728/https://www.indiatvnews.com/technology/news-list-of-all-chinese-apps-banned-in-india-2020-667131|url-status=live}}</ref> and on 16 October, it banned the import of ACs, Refrigerators and Coolers from China.<ref>{{cite web|title=India bans import of air conditioners with refrigerants in blow to China|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/business/story/india-air-conditioner-ban-dgft-domestic-manufacturing-boost-china-1732184-2020-10-16|access-date=23 April 2021|website=[[India Today]]|date=16 October 2020 |language=en|archive-date=23 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423154058/https://www.indiatoday.in/business/story/india-air-conditioner-ban-dgft-domestic-manufacturing-boost-china-1732184-2020-10-16|url-status=live}}</ref> Several core commanders' negotiations and talks were held,<ref>{{cite web|title=India-China meeting of Army Commanders on June 06, 2020|url=https://mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/32746/IndiaChina_meeting_of_Army_Commanders_on_June_06_2020|access-date=23 April 2021|website=mea.gov.in|publisher=[[Ministry of External Affairs (India)]]|archive-date=23 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423154101/https://mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/32746/IndiaChina_meeting_of_Army_Commanders_on_June_06_2020|url-status=live}}</ref> which resulted in nothing other than vague promises then. [[2020–2021 China–India skirmishes#In media|Cross-media blaming]] was common.

There was even a conference held in [[Moscow]], Russia, on 5 September between the Defence Minister of India, [[Rajnath Singh]] and Chinese Army General, [[Wei Fenghe]], but that also ended up with no success.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Chaudhury|first=Dipanjan Roy|title=Foreign ministers of Russia, India, China meet in Moscow|work=[[The Economic Times]]|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/foreign-ministers-of-russia-india-china-meet-in-moscow/articleshow/78041123.cms|access-date=23 April 2021}}</ref> The recent meeting of the [[Quadrilateral Security Dialogue|Quad-alliance]] was also questioned by China,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Krishnan|first=Ananth|date=15 March 2021|title=Quad summit {{!}} Small cliques will destroy international order, says China|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/quad-summit-small-cliques-will-destroy-international-order-says-china/article34076342.ece|access-date=23 April 2021|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=23 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423154059/https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/quad-summit-small-cliques-will-destroy-international-order-says-china/article34076342.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> but was then downed by India.<ref>{{cite web|date=14 March 2021|title=Quad Summit Shows India Ready to Reciprocate China Policy of Containing Us Even As It Engages Us|url=https://www.news18.com/news/opinion/quad-summit-shows-india-ready-to-reciprocate-china-policy-of-containing-us-even-as-it-engages-us-3532205.html|access-date=23 April 2021|website=news18.com|publisher=[[News 18]]|language=en|archive-date=23 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423154100/https://www.news18.com/news/opinion/quad-summit-shows-india-ready-to-reciprocate-china-policy-of-containing-us-even-as-it-engages-us-3532205.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In mid-January 2021, it was reported that both countries had finally agreed upon the de-escalation from their positions. Footage of Chinese troops removing tents/barracks was released. Both countries also agreed that India would move back to Finger-3, while China retained its position back to Finger-8, and also declared the area from Finger-3 to Finger-8 to be "[[No man's land]]".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Peri|first=Dinakar|date=15 February 2021|title=Explained {{!}} The disengagement plan between India and China along the LAC|language=en-IN|work=[[The Hindu]]|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/explained-the-disengagement-plan-between-india-and-china-along-the-lac/article33841285.ece|access-date=23 April 2021|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=23 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423143728/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/explained-the-disengagement-plan-between-india-and-china-along-the-lac/article33841285.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>[[File:Malabar 07-2 exercise.jpg|thumb|Two Japanese Naval warships took part in [[Malabar 2007]] off India's western coast, one of the few such multilateral exercises Japan has ever taken part in symbolising close military cooperation between India and Japan.|220x220px]]

;Japan
{{Main|India–Japan relations}}
India-Japan relations have always been strong. India has culturally influenced Japan through [[Buddhism]]. During [[World War II]], the [[Imperial Japanese Army]] helped [[Subhas Chandra Bose|Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose]]'s [[Indian National Army]]. Relations have remained warm since India's independence, despite Japan imposing [[International sanctions|sanctions]] on India after the 1998 [[Pokhran-II]] nuclear tests (the sanctions were removed in 2001).
<ref>[https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2001/09/09/national/japan-ready-to-lift-sanctions-on-india/ "Japan ready to lift sanctions on India"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005000449/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2001/09/09/national/japan-ready-to-lift-sanctions-on-india/ |date=5 October 2017 }} – The [[Japan Times]], 9 September 2001.</ref> Japanese companies, like [[Sony]], [[Toyota]], and [[Honda]], have manufacturing facilities in India, and with the growth of the Indian economy, India is a big market for Japanese firms. The most prominent Japanese company to have a big investment in India is automobiles giant [[Suzuki]] which is in partnership with Indian automobile company [[Maruti Suzuki]], the largest car manufacturer in India. Honda was also a partner in "[[Hero MotoCorp|Hero Honda]]", one of the largest motorcycle sellers in the world (the companies split in 2011<ref>{{cite web |date=17 December 2011 |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report_hero-honda-split-after-26-years_1482149 |title=Hero, Honda split after 26 years |access-date=9 December 2011 |archive-date=26 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111126185711/http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report_hero-honda-split-after-26-years_1482149 |url-status=live }}</ref>).
[[File:Stamp_of_India_-_2002_-_Colnect_834423_-_India_Japan_50th_Anniversary_Diplomatic_Relations.jpeg|left|thumb|Stamp of India - 2002 - Colnect 834423 - India Japan 50th Anniversary Diplomatic Relations]]According to Former Prime Minister [[Shinzō Abe]]'s ''arc of freedom'' theory, it is in Japan's interests to develop closer ties with India, the world's most populous democracy, while its relations with China remain chilly. To this end, Japan has funded many infrastructure projects in India, most notably in [[New Delhi]]'s metro subway system.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pinr.com/maintenance|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024174544/http://pinr.com/report.php?ac=view_report&report_id=706&language_id=1|url-status=dead|title=Maintenance {{pipe}} Pinr - Local Business Directory|archive-date=24 October 2007|website=pinr.com}}</ref> In December 2006, then Prime Minister [[Manmohan Singh]]'s visit to Japan culminated in the signing of the "Joint Statement Towards Japan-India Strategic and Global Partnership". Indian applicants were welcomed in 2006 to the JET Programme, starting with just one slot available in 2006 and 41 in 2007. Also, in 2007, the [[Japan Self-Defense Forces]] took part in a naval exercise in the Indian Ocean, known as [[Exercise Malabar|Malabar 2007]], which also involved the naval forces of India, Australia, Singapore and the United States.[[File:Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting Japanese PM Shinzo Abe.jpg|thumb|Former PM Shinzo Abe and PM Narendra Modi |220x220px]]

In October 2008, Japan signed an agreement with India under which it would grant the latter a low-interest loan worth US$4.5 billion to construct a high-speed rail line between Delhi and Mumbai. This is the single largest overseas project being financed by Japan and reflects a growing economic partnership between the two.<ref>{{cite web |date=22 October 2008 |url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5giqHnL_f6-aawPmSTcHokJyngxbg |title=AFP: Boosting ties, Japan offers India record loan for railway |access-date=21 November 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081104181200/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5giqHnL_f6-aawPmSTcHokJyngxbg |archive-date=4 November 2008 }}</ref> India and Japan signed a security cooperation agreement<ref>{{cite news |url=http://blogs.reuters.com/pakistan/2008/10/25/india-japan-in-security-pact-a-new-architecture-for-asia/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081028024542/http://blogs.reuters.com/pakistan/2008/10/25/india-japan-in-security-pact-a-new-architecture-for-asia/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 October 2008 |title=Pakistan: Now or Never? " Blog Archive " India, Japan in security pact; a new architecture for Asia? {{pipe}} Blogs {{pipe}} |work=Reuters.com |date=25 October 2008 |access-date=21 November 2009}}</ref> in which both will hold military exercises, police the Indian Ocean and conduct military-to-military exchanges on fighting [[terrorism]], making India one of only three countries, the other two being the United States and Australia, with which Japan has such a security pact.<ref name="blogs.reuters.com">{{cite news |url=http://blogs.reuters.com/pakistan/2008/10/25/india-Japan-in-security-pact-a-new-architecture-for-asia/ |work=Reuters |title=India, Japan in security pact; a new architecture for Asia? |date=25 October 2008 |access-date=13 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100301213612/http://blogs.reuters.com/pakistan/2008/10/25/india-japan-in-security-pact-a-new-architecture-for-asia/ |archive-date=1 March 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> There are 25,000 Indians in Japan as of 2008.

;Mongolia
{{Main|India–Mongolia relations}}
The relations between India and Mongolia are still at a nascent stage and Indo-Mongolian cooperation is limited to diplomatic visits, the provision of soft loans and financial aid and collaborations in the IT sector.

India established diplomatic relations in December 1955. India was the first country outside the Soviet bloc to establish diplomatic relations with Mongolia. Since then, there have been treaties of mutual friendship and cooperation between the two countries in 1973, 1994, 2001 and 2004.

;North Korea
{{main|India–North Korea relations}}
India and North Korea have growing trade and diplomatic relations. India had a fully functioning embassy in Pyongyang which was closed down due to [[COVID-19 pandemic]] [[COVID-19 in North Korea|in the host country]] while North Korea still operates an embassy in [[New Delhi]]. India has said that it wants the "reunification" of Korea.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mea.gov.in/mystart.php?id=50049826 |title=Sorry for the inconvenience. |access-date=21 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405025720/http://www.mea.gov.in/mystart.php?id=50049826 |archive-date=5 April 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

;South Korea
{{Main|India–South Korea relations}}
[[File:Narendra Modi and the President of the Republic of South Korea, Mr. Moon Jae-in take Delhi Metro ride on the way to inaugurate the Samsung manufacturing plant, World’s Largest Mobile Factory, in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.JPG|left|thumb|The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and the President of the Republic of South Korea, Mr. [[Moon Jae-in]] take [[Delhi Metro]] ride on the way to inaugurate the Samsung manufacturing plant, World's Largest Mobile Factory, in [[Noida]], [[Uttar Pradesh]].]]
The cordial relationship between the two countries extends back to 48AD, when Queen Suro, or [[Heo Hwang-ok|Princess Heo]], travelled from the kingdom of Ayodhya to Korea.<ref name="NDTV">[https://web.archive.org/web/20070929134322/http://www.ndtv.com/features/showfeatures.asp?id=813&frmsrch=1&txtsrch=korea%2Ckim%2Cdynasty NDTV article]. Web.archive.org (29 September 2007). Retrieved 12 November 2011.</ref> According to the [[Samguk Yusa]], the princess had a dream about a heavenly king who was awaiting heaven's anointed ride. After Princess Heo had the dream, she asked her parents, the king and queen, for permission to set out and seek the man, which the king and queen urged with the belief that god orchestrated the whole fate.<ref name="Samguk">Iryeon, pp. 161–164. (tr. by Ha Tae-Hung & Grafton K. Mintz) (1972). Samguk Yusa. Seoul: Yonsei University Press. {{ISBN|89-7141-017-5}}.</ref> Upon approval, she set out on a boat, carrying gold, silver, a tea plant, and a stone which calmed the waters.<ref name="NDTV" /> Archeologists discovered a stone with two fish kissing each other, a symbol of the [[Geumgwan Gaya|Gaya kingdom]] that is unique to the [[Mishra]] royal family in [[Ayodhya]], India. This royal link provides further evidence that there was an active commercial engagement between India and Korea since the queen's arrival in Korea.<ref name="NDTV" /> Current descendants live in the city of Gimhae as well as abroad in the America states of New Jersey and Kentucky. Many of them became prominent and well known around the world like President [[Kim Dae-jung|Kim Dae Jung]] and Prime Minister [[Kim Jong-pil]]. The relations between the countries have been relatively limited, although much progress arose during the three decades. [[File:Stamp of India - 2019 - Colnect 882632 - Joint Issue with South Korea.jpeg|thumb|Stamp of India - 2019 - Joint Issue with South Korea commemorating relationship when Queen Suro, or [[Heo Hwang-ok|Princess Heo]], travelled from the kingdom of Ayodhya to Korea.]]
Since the formal establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1973, several trade agreements have been reached. Trade between the two nations has increased exponentially, exemplified by the $530 million during the fiscal year of 1992–1993, and the $10 billion during 2006–2007.<ref name="IDSA">[https://web.archive.org/web/20070521072455/http://www.idsa.in/publications/stratcomments/RohitPattnaik220906.htm IDSA publication]. Web.archive.org (21 May 2007). Retrieved 12 November 2011.</ref> During the [[1997 Asian financial crisis]], South Korean businesses sought to increase access to the global markets and began trade investments with India.<ref name="IDSA"/> The last two presidential visits from South Korea to India were in 1996 and 2006,<ref name="blue house">{{cite web|url=http://www.president.go.kr/cwd/kr/archive/popup_archive_print.php?meta_id=diplomacy_2004_03_1&id=e40ef57671fb72a4b3269f7d|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930015633/http://www.president.go.kr/cwd/kr/archive/popup_archive_print.php?meta_id=diplomacy_2004_03_1&id=e40ef57671fb72a4b3269f7d|url-status=dead|title=Blue House commentary|archive-date=30 September 2007}}</ref> and the embassy works between the two countries are seen as needing improvements.<ref name="joongang">[https://web.archive.org/web/20050309194250/http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200310/06/200310062328421439900090309031.html Joong-ang Daily News article]. Web.archive.org (9 March 2005). Retrieved 12 November 2011.</ref> Recently, there have been acknowledgements in the Korean public and political spheres that expanding relations with India should be a major economic and political priority for South Korea. Much of the economic investments of South Korea have been drained into China;<ref name="chosun">[http://www.chosun.com/editorials/news/200611/200611170385.html Chosun news article] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303180513/http://www.chosun.com/editorials/news/200611/200611170385.html |date=3 March 2016 }}. Chosun.com. Retrieved 12 November 2011.</ref> however, South Korea is currently the fifth largest source of investment in India.<ref name="FICCI KOREA">[https://web.archive.org/web/20080221061403/http://www.ficci.com/international/countries/korea/koreacommercialrelation.htm FICCI i nfo]. Web.archive.org (21 January 2008). Retrieved 12 November 2011.</ref> To [[The Times of India]], President [[Roh Moo-hyun]] voiced his opinion that cooperation between India's software and Korea's IT industries would bring very efficient and successful outcomes.<ref name="blue house"/> The two countries agreed to shift their focus to the revision of the visa policies between the two countries, expansion of trade, and establishment of [[free trade agreement]] to encourage further investment between the two countries. Korean companies such as [[Lucky Goldstar|LG]], [[Hyundai Motor Group|Hyundai]] and [[Samsung]] have established manufacturing and service facilities in India, and several Korean construction companies won grants for a portion of the many infrastructural building plans in India, such as the "National Highway Development Project".<ref name="FICCI KOREA"/> Tata Motor's purchase of [[Daewoo]] Commercial Vehicles at the cost of $102 million highlights India's investments in Korea, which consist mostly of subcontracting.<ref name="FICCI KOREA"/>

[[File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi meeting the President of Afghanistan, Dr. Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on September 19, 2018.JPG|thumb|Indian PM Narendra Modi, hosting [[President of Afghanistan]], [[Ashraf Ghani]], in [[New Delhi]] {{small|(2018)}}|right]]