Strengthening India-Thailand Relations with PM Modi's Visit
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Synopsis
The upcoming visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Thailand marks a pivotal moment for enhancing the bilateral relations between India and Thailand. This visit aims to strengthen economic ties, cultural connections, and regional cooperation through various multilateral frameworks.
Key Takeaways
- PM Modi's visit enhances India-Thailand relations.
- Economic and commercial partnerships will be strengthened.
- Signing of a Maritime Transport Agreement is expected.
- India and Thailand share deep cultural ties.
- Defense cooperation continues to grow.
New Delhi, April 1 (NationPress) The close ties between India and Thailand are poised for a significant enhancement thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to the Southeast Asian nation.
The Prime Minister's two-day trip to Thailand, commencing Thursday, presents an opportunity to bolster India's economic and commercial relations with the country.
During this visit, PM Modi will also be reinforcing India's profound civilizational connections, maritime links, and cross-cultural interactions with the member nations of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) during the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok.
A Maritime Transport Agreement with BIMSTEC countries is expected to be signed at this summit in Bangkok.
Formed in June 1997, the BIMSTEC regional organization creates a unique bridge between South and South-East Asia, comprising five South Asian members—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka—and two Southeast Asian members, including Myanmar and Thailand.
In addition to BIMSTEC, India and Thailand collaborate in numerous other multilateral platforms such as ASEAN, The East Asia Summit, Mekong Ganga Cooperation, and the Indian Ocean Rim Association. Thailand ranks as the third largest economy in ASEAN and is India's fourth largest trading partner in the region, following Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
Reaffirming their long-standing cultural and religious ties, India has recently dispatched the sacred relics of Lord Buddha to Thailand.
India's 'Look East' strategy (initiated in 1993) and Thailand's 'Look West' approach (adopted in 1996) have evolved into India's 'Act East' and Thailand's 'Act West' policies, which are significantly enhancing bilateral relations, encompassing economic and commercial ties. India's partnership with Thailand also possesses a strong regional aspect concerning India's involvement with ASEAN and its membership in groupings like BIMSTEC, Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC), and Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD).
Furthermore, the defense collaboration between the two nations is progressively advancing, forming a crucial aspect of their multidimensional relationship.
