It is in this background that the first ever DPRK-US summit took place in Singapore, where KJU reiterated his “firm and unwavering commitment to complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula”. While there was no mention of CVID or any timelines, yet Mr Trump promptly announced that “there is no longer a nuclear threat” from Pyongyang. ROK is highly export-dependent (39 per cent of GDP in 2017) and views India as a key prospective trade and economic partner. Insecure, impoverished and isolated, DPRK poses a serious threat to international peace and security, by amassing an arsenal of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), in defiance of UN/US sanctions and breach of its own non-proliferation commitments. The latter also proposed denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula (KP), if the ROK and US display goodwill, create an atmosphere of peace and stability, and take progressive and synchronous measures, for achieving it. However, there is sufficient room for cautious optimism.Prime Minister Modi was also conferred the prestigious “Seoul Peace Prize” for his efforts to promote global peace and harmony, as well as foster inclusive economic growth in India and improve the quality of life. L&T is currently co-producing Korean K-9 “Vajra” artillery guns for the Indian Army, after successful field trials. It has the distinction of being the first developing country in the world to join the ranks of OECD nations in 1996.

It now boasts of a per capita income of $30,000, up from $94 in 1961. The challenge is compounded by an acute trust deficit between the sides. Seoul and Washington welcomed the offer. He aptly described ROK as a “truly natural partner”. Korean conglomerates called “chaebol”, like KIA Motors and Samsung, invested around $2 billion in India over the last couple of years alone and are keen to qualitatively expand their footprint. Reeling under the impact of crippling economic sanctions and wary of Mr Trump’s sabre-rattling, KJU had decided to sue for peace, signalling a desire to embrace economic growth, seek development assistance and accept restrictions on its WMD programme. The decades-long journey to the Singapore (June 12, 2018) and Hanoi summits has been extremely arduous. Both capitals recognise that his mediatory role has been instrumental in facilitating the US-DPRK summits. In President Moon Jae-in, who visited India last July, he has found an ally that is as committed to the relationship.In early 2018, its 35-year old dictator Kim Jong-un (KJU) abruptly changed course by offering dialogue and engagement with ROK and the US.On the other hand, the mercurial Mr Trump, whose presidency is now embroiled in major controversies, is craving for a conspicuous foreign policy success. For Pyongyang it is an existential issue. Relenting from their “all or nothing” approach, the Americans have agreed to the second summit with North Korea, otherwise known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), in Hanoi on February 27 and 28.Pyongyang has done it yet again. The sides are actively exploring possibilities to collaborate in harnessing the gains from the Fourth Industrial Revolution.South Korea, geographically a tiny nation with a population of 50 million, is an industrial, innovation and hi-tech powerhouse. A Korea Start-up Centre (KSC) would similarly be established in India to promote collaboration among startups, as also commercialise their ideas, technologies and designs.The South Korean President, since assuming office in May 2017, has also been relentlessly pursuing peace and rapprochement with North Korea. It views its arsenal as an insurance against regime change. The Chinese advice to DPRK will have an important bearing on the outcome. Washington may settle for a freeze on the North’s ICBM and thermonuclear programmes, moratorium on further tests, dismantlement of the ICBM engine test and launch site at Tongchang-ri, and the critical Yongbyon nuclear facility, in the presence of international inspectors.There are numerous imponderables and tripwires ahead. North Korea is notorious for running circles around its interlocutors and persisting with surreptitious fabrication of WMD. Notwithstanding Pyongyang’s lip service, the global strategic community knows it will never completely surrender its nuclear option.Earlier this month, on February 21 and 22, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a state visit to South Korea (otherwise Republic of Korea, or ROK), a dynamic democracy with which we enjoy a “special strategic partnership”.

That Mr Modi chose Seoul for probably his last overseas visit before the forthcoming general election is testimony to the mutual desire PEEK bearings to infuse a new momentum in bilateral partnership.5 billion in 2018), security and defence, science and technology, IT, cultural as well as people-to-people. He is convinced of his abilities to strike a suitable deal with KJU. He has been deftly nudging Pyongyang and Washington towards the dialogue table. In the past decade or so, with steadily growing synergies between Asia’s third (India) and fourth largest economies, bilateral ties have flourished in a variety of areas including economic, trade ($21. We are in discussions for more defence deals with Seoul, which is open to investing in the newly established Indian defence industrial corridors.During his visit, the PM inaugurated the “India Korea Startup Centre” which he noted, would serve as a “hub for Korean startups and Indian talent to freely communicate”. The American ability to stay the course will be severely tested, as will KJU’s bona fides. In return, the US will normalise ties with DPRK, clear a peace pact, dilute sanctions, allow humanitarian assistance and resumption of economic exchanges.Expectedly a stalemate followed, with DPRK insisting on a reciprocal step-by-step progress and the US on CVID.. Posturing aside, the US appears to have realised that “progressive, reciprocal and limited denuclearisation (PRLD)” is their best bet.The proposal embodied both an opportunity and a challenge. President Trump took everyone by surprise in agreeing to meet KJU unconditionally. It has procured, utilised and improved upon, the best of Western technologies and equipment. It has successfully stared down the mightiest power in the world. Tens of thousands of Indian engineers are already working shoulder-to-shoulder with their Korean counterparts in both countries to develop cutting-edge technologies and applications.However, the US demanded an upfront commitment of “complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation (CVID)”, which is not acceptable to DPRK. In 2017, it tested a thermonuclear device and an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), bringing the continental US within reach for the first time.Given its complicated security situation, South Korea has invested heavily in defence, notwithstanding the American security umbrella.