Strengthening Ties: HD Hyundai's Partnership Talks with India for Shipbuilding Advances

On January 28, 2026, Chairman Chung Kisun of HD Hyundai had an important meeting with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation in shipbuilding initiatives. This high-level roundtable meeting took place as part of India Energy Week 2026, featuring a notable group of around 30 attendees that included ministers from various Indian government bodies and leaders from global companies.

During the meeting, Chairman Chung expressed gratitude for Prime Minister Modi's commitment to boosting the shipbuilding industry and highlighted the significance of India's support for ongoing projects initiated by HD Hyundai. "India is not just a critical market for us; it is fundamental to our strategy of diversifying our production bases overseas. I believe it will become a new growth engine for HD Hyundai," he stated.

HD Hyundai has been proactive in strengthening its presence in India as part of its realization of the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 initiative. In July 2025, the company signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Cochin Shipyard, which happens to be the largest state-owned shipbuilder in India. This partnership will encompass various collaborative approaches, including design, procurement support, productivity enhancements, and developments in workforce capabilities.

The collaboration has recently escalated, expanding to the naval shipbuilding sector as well. In a notable move to deepen ties, HD Hyundai has also signed an exclusive MoU with the Tamil Nadu government to jointly construct a shipyard and enhance crane business collaboration with the state-owned corporation, BEML.

India's eagerness to engage with HD Hyundai was further showcased by the visits of key figures such as Hardeep Singh Puri, India’s Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and T. R. B. Rajaa, Tamil Nadu's Minister for Industries. Their visits to South Korea in November last year and January this year, respectively, included tours of HD Hyundai's Global R&D Center and the Ulsan shipyard, with discussions centering on deepening ongoing relations.

Chung's confidence resonates in his assertion that India represents a pillar of growth for HD Hyundai's future. The firm aims to not only strengthen its production capabilities but also contribute to employing the local workforce, all while maintaining a focus on innovative technologies in shipbuilding.

In conclusion, the discussions between HD Hyundai and the Indian government are a testament to the enduring relationship between South Korea and India. As both nations look towards the future, these initiatives in shipbuilding and maritime development are set to pave the way for a dynamic and robust partnership that could have profound implications not just for the companies involved but for the entire region's economy.

The ongoing developments make it evident that HD Hyundai is strategically aligning itself with one of the world's fastest-growing economies, positioning both itself and India favorably in the global maritime landscape.