India and Thailand strengthen ties with new strategic partnership agreement

India and Thailand have agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership, following extensive talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Bangkok.

The discussions, held at the Government House, covered various areas of collaboration, culminating in the signing of several important agreements aimed at revitalising and expanding the nations’ longstanding ties.

Key agreements included a Joint Declaration on establishing the India-Thailand Strategic Partnership and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society of Thailand and India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to enhance cooperation in digital technologies.

Additionally, an MoU was signed between the Sagarmala Division of India's Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Thailand's Fine Arts Department for the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat.

Collaboration in the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) sector was also formalized through an agreement between India's National Small Industries Corporation Ltd. (NSIC) and Thailand's Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP).

Two other significant agreements involved the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) and Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as an MoU between North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation Limited (NEHHDC) and Thailand’s Creative Economy Agency (CEA).

During a joint press statement, PM Modi emphasised that India’s ‘Act East’ policy and Thailand’s ‘Act West’ approach are well-aligned, creating new opportunities for collaboration in sectors like tourism, culture, education, trade, and investment.

He also highlighted agreements aimed at enhancing cooperation in renewable energy, digital technology, electric vehicles, robotics, space exploration, biotechnology, and startups. Furthermore, efforts will be made to improve FinTech connectivity and boost physical connectivity between the two nations.

The talks also focused on strengthening cooperation in strategic areas such as defence, maritime safety, hydrography, and tackling global challenges like terrorism and money laundering.

Expressing solidarity with the people of Thailand following a recent earthquake, PM Modi reiterated India’s support for ASEAN unity and centrality.

“We both support a free, open, inclusive, and rule-based order in the Indo-Pacific. Our vision is one of development, not expansionism,” said PM Modi.