Korea and Meghalaya take first step towards economic partnership at Joint CSR-Economic Cooperation Forum

Shillong (Meghalaya) [India], April 28: In a landmark effort to deepen economic and developmental collaboration, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea and KOTRA, India-Korea Business Cooperation Desk,...

TBT Online Desk

April 28, 2026 2 Min Read

Shillong (Meghalaya) [India], April 28: In a landmark effort to deepen economic and developmental collaboration, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea and KOTRA, India-Korea Business Cooperation Desk, New Delhi, in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Meghalaya, successfully organized the 2026 Korea-India Joint CSR-Economic Cooperation Forum at VIVANTA Shillong on Tuesday. The forum was held to build on the growing momentum for economic cooperation between South Korea and India, further strengthened following President Jae-myung Lee’s recent state visit to India and his summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week. The forum brought together a high-level Korean delegation led by Sungjoong Cho, Commercial Counsellor, Embassy of the Republic of Korea, and senior officials from KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency) and other Korean government-related organizations collectively known as Team Korea. The objective was to initiate dialogue with the Government of Meghalaya on potential opportunities and shared development goals. In his opening remarks, Sungjoong Cho emphasized Korea’s commitment to strengthening engagement with Meghalaya and highlighted the state’s strategic importance at the intersection of India’s Act East Policy and Korea’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. He noted Meghalaya’s strong potential in sectors such as sustainable tourism, agro-processing, and natural resources, and expressed optimism about expanding cooperation. He remarked that the forum would serve as a meaningful first step “from a walk in the clouds to a shared prosperity in the future,” underscoring the vision for long-term partnership and mutual growth. Ankit Kumar, Member of CII North East Council, and VP Strategy, Corrosion Intelligence Private Limited, delivered the congratulatory remarks, welcoming the initiative as a timely step toward strengthening Meghalaya’s economic partnerships. The forum also featured a special address by Cyril V. DarlongDiengdoh, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Department of Planning and Joint CEO, Meghalaya Investment Promotion Authority, Government of Meghalaya. He outlined key sectors for investment and emphasized the state’s readiness to collaborate with global partners, supported by progressive policies and a conducive business environment. Jae-wook Lee, Executive Director, India–Korea Business Cooperation Desk, KOTRA New Delhi, delivered a presentation titled “Korea: Your Best Strategic Partner,” highlighting Korea’s strengths and the potential for expanding cooperation with Meghalaya across sectors of mutual interest. A key feature of the forum was the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) donation ceremony, where Team Korea, a coalition of leading Korean organizations including the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, KOTRA, Invest India Korea Plus, KITA (Korea International Trade Association), K-Sure (Korea Trade Insurance Corporation), KOIPA (Korea Intellectual Property Protection Agency), KIEP (Korea Institute for International Economic Policy), KOSME (Korea SMEs and Startups Agency), and KOSMA (Korean Small & Medium Enterprises Association in India), came together to support community welfare initiatives. As part of this initiative, essential products including tumblers and containers from LocknLock and face masks from SKINORO were donated to a women-led NGO, underscoring Korea’s continued commitment to inclusive and community-focused development. The seminar concluded with a networking lunch, providing an opportunity for Korean and stakeholders from Meghalaya to explore collaborations in business and community development. The visit marked a pivotal step in establishing long-term economic cooperation between South Korea and Meghalaya.