India, Thailand Elevate Ties To Strategic Partnership; Key MoUs Exchanged

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Thai counterpart, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, in Bangkok on Thursday, reaffirming the strong bilateral relationship between India and Thailand.

The two leaders held extensive discussions, leading to an agreement to elevate ties to a ‘Strategic Partnership’.

As part of this initiative, both nations exchanged multiple memorandums of understanding (MoUs) across various sectors, including digital technology, maritime heritage, small businesses, and cultural cooperation.

Among the key agreements:

• A Joint Declaration on the Establishment of India-Thailand Strategic Partnership was signed.
• An MoU between Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society and India’s Ministry of Electronics and IT for cooperation in digital technologies.
• An agreement between India’s Sagarmala Division and Thailand’s Fine Arts Department for the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal, Gujarat.
• A pact between India’s National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) and Thailand’s Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP) to boost MSME collaboration.
• A cooperation agreement between India’s Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDONER) and Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• An MoU between North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC) and Thailand’s Creative Economy Agency (CEA) to strengthen cultural and creative industries.

Ceremonial Welcome

Earlier, PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour upon his arrival in Bangkok for his official visit and participation in the 6th BIMSTEC Summit.

Highlighting the importance of the visit, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X, “Adding new vigour & dynamism to our longstanding friendship. PM @narendramodi held a productive meeting with PM @ingshin of Thailand at the Government House today in Bangkok. Both leaders held extensive discussions on various areas of bilateral cooperation & agreed to elevate India – Thailand relations to a Strategic Partnership.”

The Indian community in Bangkok, however, warmly welcomed PM Modi with traditional prayers, showcasing the deep-rooted cultural ties between the two nations.

Taking to X, PM Modi further posted, “Grateful for the warm welcome by the Indian community in Bangkok. India and Thailand share a deep-rooted cultural bond that continues to flourish through our people. Heartening to see this connection reflected so strongly here.”

Ahead of the BIMSTEC Summit, PM Modi emphasized the significance of regional cooperation.

Additionally, the Prime Minister noted that his discussions with Thailand’s leadership would further strengthen historical ties built on shared cultural and spiritual traditions.

Following his visit to Thailand, PM Modi will travel to Sri Lanka for a two-day official visit.

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