North Korea’s Relationship With India Since Independence
North Korea, also known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), and India have maintained diplomatic relations since the two countries gained independence in 1948. India was one of the very first countries to set up diplomatic relations with North Korea and has since developed strong ties with the reclusive nation. Historically, India has expressed support for North Korea and the two countries maintain a close relationship. However, the relationship between the two countries has seen some turbulence since the 1990s, with India expressing its disapproval of North Korea’s nuclear weapons program.
The Korean War, which ended in 1953, saw India as an important mediator between North Korea and the United Nations. India’s mediation efforts were pivotal in helping bring about the armistice that ended the conflict and established a ‘de-militarized zone’ along the 38th Parallel between North and South Korea. India’s support for North Korea’s reunification efforts has been consistent despite the occupying forces of the United States and Japan still present in South Korea. This support has been demonstrated by the North and South Korean teams marching together under the Korean Unification Flag during the opening of the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Economic cooperation between North Korea and India also dates back to 1957 when the two countries signed an economic and technical cooperation agreement. India was one of the first countries to extend technical assistance to North Korea in agriculture, hydro-electricity and power generation and their bilateral trade totaled approximately US$332 million in 2017. India has also provided financial assistance and lines of credit to North Korea.
In the 1990s, however, tensions between India and North Korea increased as India supported American sanctions against the country’s weapons programs. India also refused to purchase nuclear technology from North Korea and suspended many of its economic and technical collaborations with the country. This was in direct response to a number of North Korea’s increasingly provocative actions, including its testing of nuclear weapons and long-range rocket launches. North Korea’s decision to test a hydrogen bomb in September 2017 again strained relations with India.
North Korean Students in Indian Universities
In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of North Korean students in Indian universities, primarily for post-graduate programs in the fields of technology and engineering. This has been seen as an indication of warming ties between the two countries, although some experts caution that it could be used as a way to smuggle military technology. The Indian media recently reported that the foreign ministry had refused visas to 14 North Korean students citing ‘security concerns’.
Recently, there have been some signs that relations between India and North Korea may be improving. In October 2018, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a one-on-one meeting with North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-Un on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. The meeting was seen as a signal of improved ties between the two countries, although the actual outcome of their conversation remains unknown. India also recently voted in favor of the United Nations General Assembly’s resolution on the human rights situation in North Korea.
However, commentators warn that India’s support is unlikely to be used by North Korea to escalate its nuclear and missile programs. The Indian government is highly unlikely to provide significant economic support to North Korea due to UN sanctions and the lack of visible progress in its dismantling of its nuclear weapons program. India is also likely to continue to aid UN efforts in addressing the issue of North Korea’s human rights violations.
Indian Perspective on North Korea
India’s Foreign Ministry has long maintained that the North Korea-India relationship is based on mutual respect. The Indian government has tried to maintain a good relationship with North Korea as it does not want to be perceived as following in the United States’ footsteps. That said, India shares many of the same concerns as the United States about North Korea’s nuclear proliferation and has supported United Nations efforts to curb North Korea’s weapons programs.
The Indian government is also concerned about the situation in North Korea, especially the country’s human rights record. The Indian government has regularly expressed its support for UN efforts to address the human rights situation in North Korea. This is in line with the Indian government’s longstanding policy of deepening its ties with countries that share its values of democracy and human rights.
India also has serious economic concerns with regards to North Korea. Since India depends heavily on global economic cooperation and trade, the country is wary of any instability caused by North Korea. India is concerned that any conflict with North Korea, or any disruption of global markets due to North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, could severely damage the Indian economy.
North Korean Media on India
North Korean media outlets have generally portrayed India in a positive light, despite some occasional tensions between the two countries. North Korean media has praised India’s positive role in international affairs and its ‘noble’ contributions to peace and development. North Korean media outlets also recently reported on Prime Minister Modi’s meeting with Kim Jong-Un in a positive light, noting India’s support for peace on the Korean Peninsula and the possibility of increased economic cooperation between the two countries.
For their part, the North Korean government has repeatedly expressed its appreciation for India’s ‘independent foreign policy’ and its refusal to be beholden to big powers such as the United States. The North Korean government has also praised India’s efforts in promoting economic development and poverty alleviation while also expressing its willingness to explore opportunities for increased economic cooperation with India.
The Future of Relations Between India and North Korea
Despite ongoing tensions, both countries have expressed their commitment to maintaining peaceful relations and to exploring opportunities for increased economic cooperation. There have been some signs of improved ties between the countries in recent years, particularly in the form of North Korean students studying in Indian universities. It appears the foreign ministries of both countries are keen to maintain good relations as both countries have been careful to not provoke the other.
In the long-term, it is likely that North Korea and India will continue to maintain cordial relations, despite the continued restrictions placed on North Korea by the United Nations. India is unlikely to provide significant economic support to North Korea due to UN sanctions and the lack of progress in the de-nuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. However, India is likely to continue to provide support in other ways, such as financial assistance and technical cooperation in fields such as agriculture and power generation.
Analysis of India’s Relations With North Korea
India’s relationship with North Korea is complex, reflecting the diplomatic landscape of the region. India has sought to maintain good relations with North Korea and has regularly expressed its support for peace on the Korean Peninsula and for UN efforts to address the situation in North Korea. However, India has also supported UN sanctions on North Korea and has refused to purchase nuclear technology from the country.
India has also been cautious of North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, as well as its human rights record, and it has sought to use diplomatic and economic channels to maintain good relations. This is reflected in the increased number of North Korean students studying in Indian universities, as well as the recent meeting between Prime Minister Modi and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un. India has also expressed its willingness to explore opportunities for increased economic cooperation with North Korea.
Ultimately, India’s policy towards North Korea is likely to remain largely unchanged as the country seeks to maintain peaceful relations with the reclusive state. India is unlikely to provide any significant economic support to North Korea, but it is likely to continue to provide support in other ways, such as financial assistance and technical cooperation. This reflects India’s long-standing commitment to peaceful relations with North Korea and its support for the UN’s efforts in the region.
Conclusion
Although relations between North Korea and India have had ups and downs over the past several decades, the two countries have nonetheless managed to maintain a good level of economic and diplomatic ties. India has consistently expressed its support for North Korea’s efforts to reunify the Korean Peninsula and has provided financial and technical assistance to the country. India has also expressed its support for UN efforts to address the situation in North Korea and its human rights record.
In the long-term, it is likely that North Korea and India will continue to maintain good relations, with India providing support in the form of financial assistance and technical cooperation. This reflects the Indian government’s commitment to maintaining peaceful relations with North Korea and its support for the UN’s efforts in the region. It remains to be seen how India’s relationship with North Korea will develop as tensions between North Korea and the United States continue to simmer.
