Bangkok: India and Thailand on Thursday agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a strategic partnership during a comprehensive discussion between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Thailand's PM Patongtarn Shinawatra. The two leaders discussed various areas of bilateral cooperation. Later, several important agreements were signed.
Agreement with Thailand in several areas
Apart from the joint declaration on the establishment of India-Thailand Strategic Partnership, an agreement was reached on cooperation in the field of digital technology. In this regard, an MoU was signed between the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society of Thailand and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of India.
An agreement was signed between Sagarmala Division, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, India and Department of Fine Arts, Ministry of Culture, Thailand for development of National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat.
Another MoU was signed between National Small Industries Corporation Limited (NSIC) of India and Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP) of Thailand for cooperation in the field of micro, small and medium enterprises.
What PM Modi said
In his address, Prime Minister Modi highlighted that India's 'Act East' policy and Thailand's 'Act West' policy complement each other and open up opportunities for bilateral cooperation in many areas. "We emphasized cooperation in the field of tourism, culture, education between Thailand and the North Eastern states of India. We discussed increasing mutual trade, investment and business exchanges. Agreements were also signed to promote cooperation in the fields of MSME, handloom and handicrafts," Prime Minister Modi said in a joint press statement with the Thai PM.
Strategic partnership agreed with Thailand
"We decided to strengthen cooperation in renewable energy, digital technology, e-vehicles, robotics, space, biotechnology and start-ups. Apart from enhancing physical connectivity, the two countries will also work to promote fintech connectivity," PM Modi said. The talks discussed ways to further strengthen the India-Thailand strategic partnership, including in strategic areas such as defence, security, maritime security and hydrology. "We also reiterated our commitment to work together to combat terrorism, money laundering and other challenges," PM Modi said.
