India, Thailand upgrade relations to strategic partnership

By Ahmad Adil

NEW DELHI - India and Thailand Thursday agreed to upgrade their bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership, according to officials.

The announcement came during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangkok, where he was hosted by Thai Priemer Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

Speaking alongside his counterpart, Modi said Thailand holds a key position in India's Act East policy and Indo-Pacific vision.

“Today we have decided to elevate our relationship to a strategic partnership. Also discussed establishing 'strategic dialogue' between security agencies,” he said.

Modi reaffirmed India’s support for the unity and centrality of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

“We both support free, open, inclusive and rule-based order in the Indo-Pacific. We believe in the policy of development, not expansionism,” he said.

Writing on X, Modi called the meeting “fruitful” and said the two leaders discussed ways to strengthen their strategic partnership.

“Our talks focused on ways to deepen the India-Thailand Strategic Partnership. The sectors we discussed include strategic areas such as defense, security, maritime safety and hydrography,” he said, adding both sides are also looking to boost economic and trade ties.

Modi is in Bangkok to attend the Bay of Bengal Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) summit. He is scheduled to travel to Sri Lanka for a two-day visit from April 4 to 6.