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Ministry of Trade, industry and Resources PRESS CENTER Press Releases

Press Releases

Korea Steps Up CEPA Upgrade Talks with India, the World’s Largest Emerging Market

Korea is stepping up negotiations to upgrade the Korea–India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to expand bilateral trade and investment. India, the world’s most populous country, has about 1.43 billion people and a GDP of USD 4 trillion. 


The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR, Minister JK Kim) announced that the 13th round of negotiations to upgrade the Korea–India CEPA will be held in Seoul from August 19 to August 21, 2026. The upgrade talks began in 2016 but were temporarily suspended due to differences in the two countries’ positions. They resumed after the Korea–India summit in April 2026, with the 12th round taking place in New Delhi the following month. An Indian delegation will travel to Seoul for the 13th round, which will bring together approximately 60 government officials from both countries. Korea’s delegation will be headed by Lee Min-young, Acting Director General for Trade Agreement Negotiations at MOTIR, and India’s by Kapil Chaudhary, Joint Secretary at India’s Department of Commerce.


The two sides will explore their respective interests regarding market access for key goods and services, rules of origin, and the scope for further market opening. They will also hold detailed discussions on new areas of cooperation, including supply chains and strategic industries. The two sides will also discuss the operational framework and key agenda items for the Korea–India Industrial Cooperation Committee, established following the April summit, including its subcommittee structure and schedule for future meetings.


“India is an emerging market with the world’s largest population, yet Korea–India trade totaled only USD 25.6 billion in 2025. That was about one-tenth the value of Korea’s trade with ASEAN, whose economy is similar in size to India’s,” MOTIR said. “There is therefore considerable room to expand bilateral trade and investment. Through the upgrade negotiations, we will lay the foundation for economic cooperation that extends beyond traditional market access to supply chain and industrial cooperation between the two countries.”