Writer: Khushi Yadav (Delhi, India)
Editor: Pooja Vishwanathan (Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India)
Asia’s history has always been a story of the sea. Through the waters of trade, culture, and ideas, people, knowledge, and inventions moved, leading to new opportunities. The ideas of connection and prosperity that APEC values today have roots that go back thousands of years. The exchanges between India and Gyeongju are clear proof of this.
Cultural exchanges are often seen in things we can see, but they also appear in language.
Linguists have found words in the Korean language that have their roots in Tamil. This isn’t just a chance similarity, but a strong sign that there were real exchanges—between people and goods—between Southern India and the Korean Peninsula in ancient times. These signs, found in language, religion, technology, and daily life, show that Gyeongju was more than just the capital of the Korean Peninsula. It was the main hub of civilization within Asia’s sea routes.
Today, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a new model of regional teamwork.
The values of connection, innovation, and prosperity that APEC supports perfectly match the spirit of the relationship between India and Gyeongju.
The trade between ancient Korea’s Silla kingdom and India is an early example of the Asia-Pacific connection, similar to the way APEC works now.
Centuries ago, Indian traders sailed across the Indian Ocean and the Strait of Malacca to reach the Korean Peninsula. They brought spices, gems, textiles, and Buddhism, leaving a big mark on Silla’s culture and economy. In return, Silla sent gold, ceramics, and ginseng, helping both sides grow together.
This ongoing legacy demonstrates APEC’s commitment to moving forward by enhancing trade, investment, and cultural connections.
Just like Silla and India once grew through open trade routes, APEC today is working for a connected future through trade, sustainable development, and sharing ideas. This traditional approach to collaboration still offers valuable lessons for today’s economic partnerships.
This history of exchange is still important today.
Even though India is not yet part of APEC, it has shown strong interest in joining. This shows that India wants to keep its role in helping Asia grow through trade, just like it did in the past. If India becomes an official APEC member, it would symbolize a new chapter in the journey from Ayodhya to Gyeongju, through modern economic work. India’s strong talent, advanced IT, and fast-growing economy fit perfectly with APEC’s goal of encouraging innovation and shared progress in Asia.
The interactions between Silla and India went beyond the exchange of goods. They also built a network of knowledge through diplomats, monks, engineers, and artists. This set the stage for the kind of people-to-people exchange and sharing of ideas that APEC supports today. Just as Indian monks once traveled with Buddhist texts to Silla, today’s researchers, innovators, and young professionals share knowledge and creativity across borders. The idea of exchanging people across the sea from the past is still alive today, through digital technology and growing startup communities.
Ancient trade wasn’t just about making money—it also focused on using resources wisely and protecting the environment.
The sea routes between India and Silla relied on eco-friendly sailing, using winds and ocean currents. This early example of using the sea sustainably reflects what APEC now emphasizes as “sustainable ocean development.” Today, the Asia-Pacific region faces shared challenges like climate change, managing ocean resources, and supporting the environment through friendly maritime practices.
Have you heard about APEC? What are your views about India becoming a member? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
Writer: Vidhi Gosain (Delhi, India) Editor: Ankita Panda (Kolkata, West Bengal, India) No one truly…
Interviewer and Editor: Prachi Vaid (Delhi, India) Meet Jade, the Seoul-based singer-songwriter and producer. She’s…
Writer: Chhavi Sharma (Surat, Gujarat, India) Editor: Divya Sonawane (Pune, Maharashtra, India) The education system…
Writers: Riya Choudhary (Delhi, India), Snigdha Sahu (Baripada, Odisha, India), Mohini (Patna, Bihar, India), and…
Writer: Anisha Nath (Kolkata, West Bengal, India) Editor: Pooja Vishwanathan (Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India) “Break…
Interviewer: Aanchal Tekriwal (Godda, Jharkhand, India) Editor: Prachi Vaid (Delhi, India) Meet Ji Oh Choi,…
View Comments
Very informative 👏
To be honest, it's my first time learning something like APEC and as a korean learners I must know these kind of topics and things and thanks to you I got know about this. I don't know how but Hallyuism articles always helps me grow my knowledge about korea and india relationship, which is very important for a language learners to know. So thank you so much for this so much informative article author pooja. Thank you so much.
Though I still completely don't know very much about APEC so really don't know what effect it will make on both the countries but I truly feel that It will be beneficial for both the ends if india joins the APEC.
Sorry for the mistake in writter's name. Thank you so much writter khushi and editor pooja.
I think it would be very beneficial for India to becomea an an officiaI member of APEC. It would lead to strong connections and regional Asian development. Very interesting to know how the two distant countries (India and Korea) connected in the past. i got to learn many new things thanks to this article. 😊
This article is such a beautiful exploration of the deep connections between India and Gyeongju. To be honest, I knew about APEC but I didn't know the connection shared by two countries. I have started to believe that hallyuism is truly an amazing platform to discover Korean history, art, culture, music and so much. As a Korean language learner and someone who aspires to complete higher-level studies in Korea, I believe I should know more about the relationship between India and South Korea. I feel inspired and would love to keep learning and be part of this journey.
As an Indian, it always makes me proud to learn that Korea has deep historical ties with India. Discovering these connections reminds me how cultural exchange and friendship between nations can last for centuries.
As history and culture lover I always try to learn more about different places history and their cultures like which festival they celebrate? Which languages they spoke? or did they have cultural diversity like us? And many more questions regarding the history and cultural development this article help me to learn more about Indian-korean relationship and the trade which both countries shares from a long Time ago and how budhism travel from one place to another.
I'd heard somewhere about the Indian girl married to korean prince but now get to know about the history this deeply all thanks to hallyuism and their informative articles. According to mei think it would be good if india become part of APEC as it will not only strengthen the connection between two countries but 'll also help other people to know about the history between both.
This article beautifully captured the deep historical and cultural bond between India and Korea! The way it connected ancient exchanges — from Princess Heo Hwang Ok’s journey to maritime trade and linguistic ties — with APEC’s modern vision of connection and sustainability was truly impressive. 💫 It’s amazing how the writers highlighted that India and Gyeongju’s bond wasn’t just about trade, but also about shared knowledge, innovation, and people-to-people connection. A heartfelt appreciation to writer and the editor!💖
It’s fascinating to read about how the ancient link between India and Gyeongju echoes the modern values of APEC. The idea that Tamil-root words show up in Korean language really surprised me — proof of long-lost cultural connections. This piece made me see how history, trade and culture aren’t separate at all but part of the same story of human exchange. 🌏
I never knew the India-Korea connection went back so far! 🌊 The story of Princess Heo Hwang Ok and the trade between Silla and India is fascinating. It’s amazing to see how history can reflect APEC’s modern values of connection, innovation, and prosperity.
I really enjoyed reading this! It’s fascinating to see how India and Silla’s ancient maritime trade mirrors today’s APEC vision of connection, innovation, and prosperity. I loved how the article linked language, culture, and sustainable trade practices across centuries, it shows how history still shapes our present. The story of Princess Heo Hwang Ok and the early exchanges between India and Korea is truly inspiring. Makes me excited to see how India’s potential APEC membership could continue this legacy of collaboration!