India and Thailand strengthen cooperation across political, cultural, and economic fronts during official visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the Prime Minister of Thailand, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, during his official visit to Bangkok today. PM Modi received a ceremonial welcome at the Government House, marking the warmth of Indo-Thai relations. This was their second meeting following their earlier interaction on the sidelines of the ASEAN-related Summit in Vientiane in October 2024.
The two leaders comprehensively reviewed the bilateral relationship, exploring avenues to deepen collaboration in political, strategic, and economic areas. Discussions included enhanced defence cooperation, trade and investment, start-up and innovation ecosystems, and joint efforts in healthcare, education, science & technology, and tourism.
They also agreed to intensify cooperation on countering transnational crimes such as human and narcotics trafficking and cyber scams. The conversation extended to strengthening engagements through regional and multilateral platforms like BIMSTEC, ASEAN, and Mekong Ganga Cooperation.
India and Thailand ink Strategic Partnership declaration; sign key MoUs on digital tech, MSMEs, handicrafts, and maritime heritage
A key highlight of the meeting was the Joint Declaration on the Establishment of the India-Thailand Strategic Partnership, a landmark moment in the two nations’ ties. The leaders also witnessed the signing of multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in the fields of handlooms and handicrafts, digital technologies, MSMEs, and maritime heritage.
Further enhancing people-to-people ties, both sides welcomed the establishment of an India-Thailand Consular Dialogue, aimed at facilitating smoother interactions between citizens.
In a symbolic gesture, Thailand released a commemorative postage stamp featuring 18th-century Ramayana mural paintings in honour of PM Modi’s visit. Prime Minister Shinawatra also gifted a special edition of the Buddhist holy scriptures TI-PITAKA in Pali. As a testament to shared spiritual heritage, PM Modi offered to send Lord Buddha’s Holy Relics, excavated from Gujarat, to Thailand for public veneration—a gesture following last year’s historic visit of the relics that drew over 4 million devotees.
India and Thailand, as maritime neighbours with deep civilizational ties rooted in Ramayana and Buddhism, continue to build on their Act East Policy, ASEAN engagement, Vision MAHASAGAR, and shared Indo-Pacific outlook. The two nations’ relationship stands as a robust and evolving partnership grounded in cultural affinity and strategic alignment.
