Why in the News?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Thailand in a two-day visit to attend the 6th BIMSTEC summit.
What’s in Today’s Article?
- India-Thailand Bilateral Relationship (Historical & Cultural, Political, Economic, Trade, Diaspora, etc.)
- News Summary
Historical and Cultural Linkages with Thailand:
- India and Thailand share civilizational ties rooted in history, culture, and religion.
- Buddhism, which originated in India, remains a key spiritual bond between the two countries.
- Ancient linkages through maritime trade routes and cultural exchanges, such as the adaptation of the Ramayana in Thai folklore as Ramakien, have ensured a long-standing mutual cultural appreciation.
- Indian influence is visible in Thai architecture, language (Sanskrit-Pali roots), traditional medicine, and performing arts.
- Thailand has historically acknowledged these ties, recently reaffirmed by the issuance of a commemorative postage stamp based on the Ramayana mural paintings during PM Modi’s 2025 visit.
Political Relations between India and Thailand:
- The relationship gained momentum after India launched its 'Look East Policy' in the early 1990s, which evolved into the 'Act East Policy' under Prime Minister Modi.
- Thailand, in turn, has embraced its 'Act West Policy', seeking deeper engagement with South Asia.
- Both nations support multilateralism and collaborate closely in regional forums like ASEAN, BIMSTEC, ADMM-Plus, and the East Asia Summit.
Economic and Commercial Relations:
- India and Thailand are important economic partners within Southeast Asia.
- During the period FY 2023-2024, Thailand was the 21st largest trading partner of India with total bilateral trade of around USD 14.94 billion.
- Thailand is part of India’s regional trade ambitions through ASEAN and BIMSTEC.
- There is a push to enhance mutual investments, MSME collaboration, and connectivity through initiatives such as the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway.
The Indian Diaspora in Thailand:
- The Indian community in Thailand, estimated at over 250,000, includes both historical and recent migrants.
- They are primarily engaged in trade, jewellery business, hospitality, and various service sectors.
- Indians are well integrated into Thai society and have contributed to strengthening people-to-people ties.
- Prominent Indian-origin associations and Buddhist spiritual networks further bridge societal connections between the two nations.
News Summary:
- Upgrading to a Strategic Partnership
- During his two-day visit to Thailand in April 2025, PM Modi announced the elevation of bilateral ties to a "Strategic Partnership" following delegation-level talks with Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
- This development signifies a deepening of ties in security, trade, and regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
- The leaders agreed to establish a Strategic Dialogue between security agencies of both nations, signalling enhanced maritime and defence cooperation.
- Indo-Pacific Vision and Regional Connectivity
- Reaffirming India’s support for ASEAN Centrality and Unity, PM Modi underlined the shared vision of a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
- He contrasted India’s developmental approach (vikaasvaad) against expansionism (vistaarvaad), sending a clear message in line with India's evolving geopolitical stance in Asia.
- PM Modi also reiterated India’s commitment to the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), which both countries are a part of.
- Ahead of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, he stressed BIMSTEC’s role in boosting regional connectivity and trade.
- A key agenda item included the signing of an Agreement on Maritime Cooperation, a strategic component given India’s and Thailand’s maritime interests.
- Cultural Diplomacy and Symbolic Gestures
- In a powerful gesture of soft diplomacy, Thailand gifted PM Modi with the World Tipitaka: Sajjhaya Phonetic Edition, symbolizing shared Buddhist heritage.
- This version was specially published in 2016 to commemorate the 70-year reign of Thai monarch King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
