India, South Korea aim to deepen ties amid geopolitical uncertainty. Here is what's holding them back.

Lucian Nemoiu

Trade uncertainty with the U.S. and the push to diversify away from China make India and South Korea natural partners — but their relationship has yet to translate from intent into meaningful execution. On Monday, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung reaffirmed plans to increase bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030, a goal that was first announced in 2018 . Modi, in a joint press statement, said that the two countries were moving from a "trusted