India, Thailand seal strategic partnership as Modi meets Shinawatra in Bangkok
BANGKOK. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Thai counterpart, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, in Bangkok on April 3 during his official visit to Thailand, marking a significant step forward in bilateral ties. Modi, who last met Shinawatra on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Vientiane in October 2024, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Thailand’s Government House.
In wide-ranging talks, Modi and Shinawatra reviewed the full spectrum of India-Thailand relations, agreeing to deepen cooperation across political, economic, and strategic domains. Key areas of discussion included defence and security, trade and investment, digital technology, education, health, innovation, and tourism. Both leaders emphasised the importance of enhancing connectivity and tackling transnational threats such as human and drug trafficking and cybercrime.
The highlight of the visit was the signing of a Joint Declaration on the Establishment of the India-Thailand Strategic Partnership, formalising a new chapter in bilateral cooperation. Several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were also exchanged in areas including handlooms and handicrafts, MSMEs, digital innovation, and maritime heritage.
In a move to foster people-to-people ties, both sides announced the launch of an India-Thailand Consular Dialogue. The cultural connection between the two nations was also on full display. The Thai government issued a special postage stamp featuring 18th-century Ramayana mural paintings in honour of Modi’s visit. Prime Minister Shinawatra also gifted Modi a special edition of the Tripitaka, the Buddhist scriptures in Pali. In return, Modi offered to send sacred relics of Lord Buddha, discovered in Gujarat, to Thailand for public veneration.
Underscoring the deep civilisational links between the two nations, rooted in shared traditions of Buddhism and the Ramayana, the visit reaffirmed the strength of India-Thailand relations. As maritime neighbours and key players in the Indo-Pacific, the two countries reiterated their commitment to regional cooperation through platforms such as Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), ASEAN, and the Mekong Ganga Cooperation.
The meeting further solidified Thailand’s role in India’s Act East Policy, and reflected the growing alignment between New Delhi and Bangkok in shaping a stable, prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
