The Ministers also reviewed progress in science and technology collaboration, health cooperation, culture, and people-to-people interaction, as shared by India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on July 14, 2024
The 2nd BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat, hosted by India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, provided an opportunity for India and Thailand to review their bilateral partnership. Thailand’s Foreign Minister, Maris Sangiampongsa, visited New Delhi from July 11-13, 2024, marking his first official visit to India. On July 12, 2024, EAM Jaishankar met with the Thai Minister and hosted a lunch in his honor.
During their meeting, Jaishankar highlighted the focus on defense and security, trade and investment, and financial connectivity. “Delighted to hold talks with Thailand’s Foreign Minister @AmbPoohMaris. As a maritime neighbor, we have civilizational bonds and shared interests. Good discussion on our intensifying engagement covering political, defense and security, trade and investment, physical and financial connectivity, tourism, and people-to-people domains. Also exchanged views on regional matters, India-ASEAN, Indo-Pacific, and cooperation in the UN,” Jaishankar posted on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.
The Ministers also reviewed progress in science and technology collaboration, health cooperation, culture, and people-to-people interaction, as shared by India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on July 14, 2024. They discussed mutual interests and reiterated their commitment to closer cooperation in regional and multilateral forums. “In accordance with the vision of the two Prime Ministers, the Ministers reaffirmed the mutual desire for a stronger India-Thailand partnership,” stated the MEA.
Thailand is a key partner of India within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). India’s ‘Act East’ Policy, marking its 10th year in 2024, aligns with Thailand’s ‘Act West’ Policy, highlighting the importance of their maritime relationship. Interactions between the External Affairs Minister and the Thai Foreign Minister have further strengthened bilateral ties, according to the MEA.
Earlier this year, the 10th India-Thailand Joint Commission meeting was held in New Delhi on February 27, 2024, co-chaired by EAM Jaishankar and Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara. They discussed cooperation in defense and security, trade and investment, pharmaceuticals, connectivity, digital, space, and tourism, as well as views on Myanmar, India-ASEAN, and multilateral cooperation.
Thailand is also an important partner for India in several regional initiatives, including the East Asia Summit (EAS), the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), the Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC), the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), and the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS).
India and Thailand share strong bilateral cooperation across various sectors, including defense and trade. The two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defense Cooperation in January 2012, leading to initiatives like joint maritime patrolling, annual staff talks, exchange visits, and training of officers at each other’s institutions, along with trilateral and multilateral military exercises.
Bilateral trade has increased significantly, reaching a record high of USD 17.7 billion in 2022. Major Indian companies in Thailand include Tata Steel Thailand, Tata Consultancy Services, Aditya Birla Group, Tech Mahindra, Kirloskar Brothers Ltd., L&T, Bajaj Auto, NRB Bearing, Ranbaxy, Coforge Ltd., Usha Siam Steel Industries PLC, KEC International, Kalpataru Power Transmission Ltd., Desmond International, and Apollo Tyres.
Leading Thai companies in India, active in fields like agro-processing, construction, automotive, and engineering, include Charoen Pokphand Group, Italian Thai Development PCL, Thai Union Frozen Products PCL, Thai Summit Neel Auto Pvt. Ltd., Delta Electronics (Thailand) PCL, Srithai Superware PCL, Siam Makro PCL, and Global Renewable Synergy Co (GRSC).
