Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a two-day visit to Thailand starting Thursday to participate in the sixth BIMSTEC Summit.
During his stay, he will likely meet Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and discuss bilateral cooperation.
The visit will focus on deepening India’s historical and maritime ties with BIMSTEC nations while promoting cross-cultural exchanges.
The summit, themed ‘BIMSTEC – Prosperous, Resilient and Open’, will see leaders deliberate on strengthening institutional frameworks and expanding collaboration within the regional grouping, the Ministry of External Affairs stated last week.
India has been actively engaging with BIMSTEC to boost regional cooperation, including initiatives in security, trade facilitation, connectivity – both physical and digital – food and energy security, climate action, skill development, and people-to-people exchanges, the MEA added.
Invited by the Thai government, PM Modi’s visit will likely reinforce India’s commitment to regional collaboration and strengthen bilateral relations with Thailand.
This will mark his second meeting with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
His previous visit to Thailand was in 2019, and this trip will likely build upon the positive momentum in India-Thailand relations.
The last BIMSTEC Summit was held virtually, hosted by Sri Lanka.
BIMSTEC
BIMSTEC, formed in June 1997, serves as a crucial link between South and Southeast Asia.
The bloc includes five South Asian nations – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka – along with Myanmar and Thailand from Southeast Asia.
As maritime neighbors, India and Thailand share deep-rooted civilizational ties, encompassing cultural, linguistic, and religious bonds.
Thailand is also a key partner in India’s ‘Act East’ policy and Indo-Pacific vision.
Recently, India sent the holy relics of Lord Buddha and two of his chief disciples for a 25-day exposition across five Thai cities.
The event’s overwhelming success further reinforced the longstanding cultural and spiritual ties between the two nations.
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