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Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Thailand on Thursday for the sixth BIMSTEC summit. He was given a formal guard of honor in Bangkok. Thai Prime Minister Patongtarn Shinawatra formally welcomed Prime Minister Modi at the Government House in Bangkok.
PM Modi also held delegation level talks with Thai PM Shinawatra in Bangkok. PM Narendra Modi watched a performance of the Thai Ramayana Ramakien earlier in the day. After this, PM Modi and Thai PM Shinawatra addressed a joint press conference.
Condolences expressed over loss of life in earthquake
In his address, PM Modi said, 'I express my heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Shinawatra for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to me and my delegation in this beautiful golden land. On behalf of the people of India, I express my deepest condolences for the loss of life in the earthquake of 28 March and we wish for the speedy recovery of those injured.'
He said, 'India and Thailand's centuries-old relations are linked to our deep cultural and spiritual threads. The spread of Buddhism has connected our people. There has been an exchange of scholars from Ayutthaya to Nalanda. The story of Ramayana is deeply embedded in Thai folk life and the influence of Sanskrit-Pali is still visible in languages and traditions.'
Discussion on establishing strategic dialogue
- PM Modi said, 'I am grateful to the Government of Thailand that a special postage stamp based on the 18th century 'Ramayana' mural paintings has been issued to commemorate my visit. Prime Minister Shinawatra just presented me the Tripitaka. I accepted it with folded hands on behalf of Buddha land India.'
- The PM said that 'Thailand has a special place in India's Act East Policy and our Indo Pacific vision. Today we have decided to give our relations the form of a strategic partnership. We also discussed establishing a strategic dialogue between security agencies.'
Emphasis on cooperation in tourism
The Prime Minister said, 'We thanked the Government of Thailand for its cooperation in sending back Indian victims of cyber crime to India. We have emphasized cooperation in the areas of tourism, culture, education between the north-eastern states of India and Thailand.'
He further said that 'We talked about increasing mutual trade, investment and business exchange. Agreements have also been made for cooperation in MSME, handloom and handicraft. India fully supports ASEAN unity and ASEAN centrality. We both support free, open, inclusive and rule based border in Indo Pacific. We believe in the policy of development, not expansionism.'
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