The United Diplomatic Council (UDC) successfully concluded its international dialogue, “Startups, Culture & Innovation: Exploring Startups Diplomacy,” on 9 October 2026 at Seoul Startup Hub, Changdong, Seoul, South Korea.
The gathering brought together representatives from 50 companies, alongside diplomats, business leaders, startup ecosystem representatives and institutional stakeholders. Participation from the Embassy of India in Seoul added to the international character of the event, which focused on strengthening connections between South Korea’s business community and global partners.
South Korea’s strengths in technology, innovation, advanced industries and entrepreneurship offer significant opportunities for international cooperation. Its dynamic startup ecosystem and globally connected enterprises provide a strong foundation for exploring new markets, exchanging expertise and developing collaborative ventures. The Seoul dialogue created a platform to examine how these capabilities could be connected with international business networks, academic institutions and emerging startups.
India, with its expanding startup ecosystem, technology capabilities, academic institutions and entrepreneurial base, presents complementary opportunities for cooperation. Stronger engagement between India and South Korea can support trade and investment, joint research, academic exchange, startup development and access to new markets, helping translate shared interests into practical partnerships.
A key development announced at the gathering was the establishment of a Trade Desk in Chennai, which was well received in the presence of the Embassy of India. The initiative is intended to strengthen engagement between India and South Korea by helping businesses and institutions identify potential partners and explore avenues for bilateral cooperation.
The event also announced the appointment of Mrs. Ishwarya Shankaralingam as Honorary Trade Commissioner for South Korea. Although she was unable to attend in person, her appointment marks an important step towards strengthening bilateral engagement. Operating through the India–Korea Trade Council and the United Diplomatic Council, she will work to facilitate trade and investment, academic collaborations, institutional partnerships and international opportunities for startups. Based in Chennai, she will help connect South Korean stakeholders with relevant Indian networks while supporting broader cooperation between the two countries.
The programme featured discussions on startup diplomacy, South Korea’s innovation ecosystem, connecting Korean businesses with global markets and expanding collaboration between institutions and enterprises. Across these themes, the dialogue highlighted the importance of linking entrepreneurship and innovation with international networks to create sustainable business opportunities.
An important milestone was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Indian Economic Trade Organization (IETO), on behalf of Mrs. Ishwarya Shankaralingam, and IKBIC. The agreement reflected the role of institutional partnerships in connecting startup ecosystems, encouraging knowledge exchange and strengthening cooperation between businesses and innovation platforms.
Diplomatic engagement was another significant dimension of the gathering. Representatives from the embassies of Zambia, Sri Lanka, Libya, Cambodia and Ethiopia attended, expressing interest in international dialogue and potential future collaboration. H.E. Paul Sobba Massaquoi, Ambassador of Sierra Leone to the Republic of Korea, also shared his perspective on international cooperation and the importance of building partnerships across countries and regions.
H.E. Paul Sobba Massaquoi, Ambassador of Sierra Leone to the Republic of Korea, said:
“Global dialogue becomes meaningful when nations move beyond conversations to build trust, share knowledge and pursue common opportunities. Initiatives that bring diplomats, entrepreneurs and innovators together can strengthen international cooperation and create partnerships that deliver lasting benefits across regions.”
Dr. Asif Iqbal, President of the United Diplomatic Council, highlighted the evolving role of diplomacy in connecting businesses, institutions and innovation ecosystems.
“Diplomacy today must extend beyond traditional engagement and create practical connections between countries, institutions, businesses and startup ecosystems. Through the United Diplomatic Council, we aim to build a truly global platform where dialogue leads to collaboration, innovation opens new opportunities, and international partnerships translate into meaningful outcomes.”
The Seoul dialogue reflects UDC’s continued commitment to connecting diplomatic missions, businesses, investors, academic institutions and startups through international engagement. Through the India–Korea Trade Council and UDC, the initiative seeks to strengthen cooperation between India and South Korea across trade, education, research and innovation, helping transform diplomatic dialogue into tangible partnerships.
Dialogue creates understanding. Collaboration creates opportunity. Global engagement creates impact.
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