In a move that has attracted significant attention, India has recently sent a technical and quasi-diplomatic team to North Korea, reopening its embassy in Pyongyang after a closure that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. This decision comes after several European countries, like Sweden and Poland[i], have already resumed their diplomatic missions to North Korea. The media has widely framed India’s decision as a “strategic shift”[ii] in its foreign policy. However, this raises important questions: why now? And why has India taken this step amidst its improving relations with South Korea?

History of India-DPRK Relations

India and North Korea established formal diplomatic relations in 1973, with India adhering to a policy of non-alignment while seeking to maintain cordial ties with Pyongyang.[iii] Over the years, India’s relationship with North Korea was characterized by cautious engagement, balancing its interests in East Asia without aligning too closely with any major regional power. India’s embassy in Pyongyang remained open as a symbol of this engagement until it was closed in 2020 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in a temporary suspension of diplomatic activities worldwide. Despite this closure, indirect communication through multilateral forums continued, maintaining a basic diplomatic presence despite the lack of direct dialogue.[iv]

Reasons for Reopening the Embassy

Three key factors appear to have influenced India’s decision to reopen its embassy in North Korea.

The first reason is the re-election of Trump in the US and North Korea’s International Positioning. During the first presidency of Donald Trump, the United States made significant moves to engage directly with North Korea. Trump’s summit with Kim Jong-un was a historic attempt to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula and led to brief expectations of a thaw in relations between North Korea and the West.[v] Although the Biden administration has largely distanced itself from direct engagement with Pyongyang, the geopolitical significance of North Korea continues to matter to major powers, including India. By reopening its embassy, India is signalling that it will continue to engage with North Korea, especially as Trump is set to enter office again.

The second reason is North Korea’s Growing Relations with China and Russia. One of the primary reasons for India’s renewed interest in North Korea is Pyongyang’s strengthening ties with China and Russia. Over the past few years, North Korea has deepened its strategic and economic relationships with both Beijing and Moscow, creating a complex regional dynamic.[vi] As China continues to exert influence in the Indo-Pacific and Russia aligns more closely with North Korea, India may be seeking to retain its own channels of influence in Pyongyang. Maintaining an embassy in North Korea ensures that India is not excluded from discussions surrounding regional stability, especially as China’s growing dominance and Russia’s military cooperation with North Korea pose significant challenges.

Finally, the most important reason for this move could be India’s Nuclear Concerns and Proliferation Risks. Another driving factor behind India’s decision is North Korea’s continuing advancement of its nuclear weapons program. As a nuclear power in the region, India has a direct interest in preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons, particularly to states such as Pakistan. North Korea’s increasing nuclear capabilities have raised alarms internationally, especially regarding potential transfers of technology and material to other countries.[vii] By reopening its embassy in Pyongyang, India can keep communication channels open on nuclear non-proliferation to its potentially risky neighbour and ensure that it remains involved in addressing this global security concern.

Implications for India

The major implications of this diplomatic move can be felt in two spheres: India’s Trade with DPRK and India’s relations with RoK. India’s trade relations with North Korea, while limited, have seen fluctuations in recent years. In 2023, India imported a small quantity of minerals and agricultural products from North Korea, leading to a negative trade balance.[viii] This imbalance, although marginal, suggests that there may be room for India to course-correct its economic engagement with Pyongyang. The reopening of the embassy could help facilitate limited economic interactions, but the prospects for large-scale trade remain constrained due to ongoing international sanctions imposed on North Korea.

Further, despite the potential concerns, India’s decision to reopen its embassy in North Korea is unlikely to harm its relations with South Korea. India and South Korea have enjoyed steadily improving ties over the years, particularly in areas such as trade, culture, and technology.[ix] South Korea, while cautious of its northern neighbour, will need to understand that India’s engagement with North Korea is not at odds with its broader strategic interests. Furthermore, South Korea is focused on expanding its own regional security and economic partnerships, which are not significantly affected by India’s diplomatic decision.

Conclusion

While North Korea is often seen as diplomatically isolated, it continues to maintain embassies in key countries, including Russia, China, and several European nations.[x] For India, reopening its embassy is not just a symbolic gesture but a strategic necessity. With North Korea’s growing nuclear capabilities, its evolving relationship with China and Russia, and its influence on regional security, it is crucial for India to keep communication lines open. This move reflects India’s pragmatic approach to the shifting dynamics of Northeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific, ensuring that it remains engaged with North Korea in the face of rising regional challenges.

 

Blog By: Manah Popli, Research Assistant, CS3, USI

 

Endnotes:

[i]  India Today Global Desk. “India Reopens Embassy in North Korea with a Carrot and Stick Policy.” India Today, December 19, 2024. https://www.indiatoday.in/world/us-news/story/indias-reopens-embassy-in-north-korea-in-a-carrot-and-stick-policy-gbls-2652624-2024-12-19.

[ii] Nayar, KP. “Revival of India’s North Korean Mission Reflects Strategic Shift – the Tribune.” The Tribune, December 16, 2024. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/comment/revival-of-indias-north-korean-mission-reflects-strategic-shift/.

[iii] EMBASSY OF INDIA PYONGYANG, DPR KOREA. “India-DPR Korea Relations.” Ministry of External Affairs, n.d. https://eoi.gov.in/eoisearch/MyPrint.php?4086?001/0024.

[iv] Ibid.

[v] Nayar, KP. “Revival of India’s North Korean Mission Reflects Strategic Shift – the Tribune.” The Tribune, December 16, 2024. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/comment/revival-of-indias-north-korean-mission-reflects-strategic-shift/.

[vi] Kathju, Junaid. “India Reopens Pyongyang Embassy in ‘Strategic Decision’ to Monitor Korean Peninsula: Experts.” South China Morning Post, December 20, 2024. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3291778/india-reopens-pyongyang-embassy-strategic-decision-monitor-korean-peninsula-experts.

[vii] Chakraborty, Abhishek. “India’s Diplomatic Move in North Korea Marks Significant Shift in Policy.” www.ndtv.com, December 17, 2024. https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/indias-diplomatic-move-in-north-korea-marks-significant-shift-in-policy-7270839.

[viii] Trading Economics. “India Imports from North Korea.” Accessed December 26, 2024. https://tradingeconomics.com/india/imports/north-korea.

[ix] Nayar, KP. “Revival of India’s North Korean Mission Reflects Strategic Shift – the Tribune.” The Tribune, December 16, 2024. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/comment/revival-of-indias-north-korean-mission-reflects-strategic-shift/.

[x] Smith, Josh, and Alexander Ratz. “European countries eye reopening embassies in North Korea after pandemic closures.” Reuters. February 28, 2024. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/european-countries-eye-reopening-embassies-north-korea-after-pandemic-closures-2024-02-28/.