AS PRIME Minister Narendra Modi met Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Bangkok on Thursday, the 2 international locations agreed to improve their relations to a “strategic partnership”. Modi underlined that Thailand holds a particular place in India’s Act East Coverage and its Indo-Pacific imaginative and prescient.
Modi, who arrived in Bangkok on a two-day go to on Thursday, will attend the sixth BIMSTEC leaders’ summit on Friday. In his departure assertion, Modi described BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Financial Cooperation) as a major discussion board for selling regional growth, connectivity and financial progress within the area.
Following his assembly with Shinawatra forward of the BIMSTEC summit, Modi stated: “Right now, we’ve determined to strengthen our ties right into a strategic partnership. Additionally, we mentioned establishing a ‘strategic dialogue’ between our safety companies.” A strategic dialogue between safety companies factors to the event of a powerful partnership as the 2 sides take care of crimes and maritime safety points.
“We thanked the Authorities of Thailand for his or her cooperation in facilitating the return of Indian victims of cybercrime. We now have agreed that our companies will collaborate carefully to fight human trafficking and unlawful migration,” he stated.
In an indirect reference to China’s assertive behaviour within the Indo-Pacific area, Modi stated: “Within the Indo-Pacific, we each assist a free, open, inclusive and rules-based order. We imagine within the coverage of vikaasvaad, not vistaarvaad (‘development-ism’, not expansionism).”
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra gesture as they meet on the Authorities Home, in Bangkok, Thailand, April 3, 2025. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha
Shinawatra, 38, is the youngest daughter of former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra and niece of one other former PM, Yingluck Shinawatra. Modi additionally met Thaksin Shinawatra, who he referred to as a “nice buddy of India”. “Mr Shinawatra and I talked at size about India-Thailand cooperation and the way it advantages the individuals of our respective international locations. We deliberated on the immense potential in areas like defence, commerce, tradition and extra,” he stated in a put up on X.
Modi and PM Shinawatra witnessed the signing of six pacts, together with on the institution of India-Thailand strategic partnership, MoUs on digital applied sciences, Nationwide Maritime Heritage Advanced (NMHC) at Lothal (Gujarat), on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, and cooperation on Northeast India.
Story continues beneath this advert
“We now have emphasised cooperation within the fields of tourism, tradition and schooling between India’s northeastern states and Thailand. We mentioned enhancing mutual commerce, funding and exchanges between companies,” Modi stated.
Calling the ASEAN grouping a complete strategic accomplice, he stated: “As neighbouring maritime international locations, we’ve shared pursuits in regional peace, stability and prosperity. India firmly helps ASEAN unity and ASEAN centrality.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi being offered ‘The World Tipitaka’ as a present by his Thai counterpart Paetongtarn Shinawatra throughout a gathering, in Bangkok, Thailand. (PTI Picture)
Modi framed his go to by way of shut cultural ties between India and Thailand. “The age-old relations between India and Thailand are rooted in our deep cultural and religious ties. The unfold of Buddhism has introduced our individuals collectively. There have been exchanges of students from Ayutthaya (Thailand) to Nalanda. The story of Ramayana is deeply rooted in Thai folklore. And the affect of Sanskrit and Pali continues to resonate with our languages and traditions at present,” he stated. Earlier within the day, Modi watched a Ramakien (Thai Ramayana) efficiency.
Modi additionally conveyed condolences on the lack of lives brought on by the earthquake on March 28.
Story continues beneath this advert
On the BIMSTEC summit, Modi will be a part of leaders from Thailand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar and Bhutan to supervise the signing of the Settlement on Maritime Cooperation. He’ll share the stage with Nepal Prime Minister Okay P Sharma Oli, Bangladesh Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus and Myanmar navy junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, amongst others.
