Bangkok Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Bangkok on Thursday to a vibrant and enthusiastic welcome from the Indian diaspora.
Modi held a productive meeting with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra at the Government House in the morning. Both leaders held extensive discussions on various areas of bilateral cooperation and agreed to elevate the relationship to a Strategic Partnership, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson said.
His arrival marks the beginning of his official visit to Thailand, where he is set to attend the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, scheduled for April 4.
During his visit, PM Modi will engage with regional leaders to discuss key areas of cooperation within the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). The summit will serve as a platform to strengthen collaboration among member countries, addressing issues such as regional development, connectivity, and economic progress.
PM Modi is set to interact with the Indian diaspora in Thailand, emphasizing the deep cultural and economic connections between the two nations.
Growing importance of BIMSTEC
In his departure statement, PM Modi highlighted the growing importance of BIMSTEC as a forum for promoting regional development. “At the invitation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, I am departing today for Thailand on an official visit and to attend the 6th BIMSTEC Summit,” PM Modi said. He further noted, “Over the past decade, BIMSTEC has emerged as a significant forum for promoting regional development, connectivity, and economic progress in the Bay of Bengal region.”
The Prime Minister also expressed his eagerness to engage with leaders of BIMSTEC countries, adding, “I look forward to meeting the leaders of the BIMSTEC countries and engaging productively to further strengthen our collaboration with the interests of our people in mind.”
On his official engagements in Thailand, PM Modi emphasized the importance of strengthening India-Thailand ties, particularly in the context of their shared history and culture. “During my visit, I will have the opportunity to engage with Prime Minister Shinawatra and the Thai leadership, with a common desire to elevate our age-old historical ties, which are based on the strong foundations of shared culture, philosophy, and spiritual thought,” he said.
PM Modi’s visit to Thailand is part of a two-nation tour that will also take him to Sri Lanka from April 4-6. “From Thailand, I will pay a two-day visit to Sri Lanka from April 4-6. This follows the highly successful visit of President [Ranil] Wickremesinghe to India last December. We will have the opportunity to review progress made on the joint vision of ‘Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future’ and provide further guidance to realize our shared objectives,” PM Modi added.
Expressing optimism about his visits, the Prime Minister said, “I am confident that these visits will build on the foundations of the past and contribute to strengthening our close relationships for the benefit of our people and the wider region.”
As India takes a leading role in BIMSTEC, its involvement in the summit is poised to reinforce its commitment to regional cooperation. BIMSTEC, a regional grouping of seven countries, includes five South Asian nations—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka—and two Southeast Asian countries, Myanmar and Thailand. The grouping serves as a bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia, with India playing a central role in shaping its agenda and promoting collaboration across sectors.
(Courtesy DD News)
