First Meeting Between India and Thailand Prime Ministers: Discussions on Bilateral Cooperation at East Asia Summit
On October 11, 2024, Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi held his first meeting with H.E. Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the Prime Minister of Thailand, on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit in Vientiane. This meeting was a significant opportunity to strengthen relations between the two Prime Ministers.
Key Points of the Meeting
Prime Minister Modi congratulated the Thai Prime Minister on assuming office and extended India’s best wishes to the new government. The two leaders discussed enhancing bilateral cooperation across various sectors. They also exchanged views on ways to establish closer collaboration in sub-regional, regional, and multilateral forums. In this context, they emphasized the importance of strengthening regional cooperation through the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).
India-Thailand Relations
The relationship between India and Thailand serves as a vital pillar of India’s ‘Act East’ policy, which marks its tenth anniversary this year. The importance of these ties is also reflected in India’s vision for the Indo-Pacific region. The growing engagement between India and Thailand extends beyond trade and investment, encompassing cultural exchanges, tourism, and security cooperation.
Future Directions
During the meeting, both leaders underscored that the India-Thailand relationship is not only significant at the bilateral level but also critical for regional and global stability. They agreed on the need to enhance mutual cooperation to promote stability and development in the region.
Conclusion
This meeting presents an opportunity to deepen the relationship between India and Thailand. The initiatives taken by both leaders are expected to lead to increased regional cooperation and steps toward sustainable development. Cooperation between India’s ‘Act East’ policy and Thailand’s developmental priorities can yield substantial benefits in economic, social, and cultural domains for both countries. This meeting highlights the potential for further positive dialogue between the two nations in the future.
