PM Modi to visit Thailand for BIMSTEC summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a two-day visit to Thailand today morning to participate in the 6th BIMSTEC Summit. This will be the Prime Minister’s third visit to Thailand after 2016 and 2019.

During the visit, the Prime Minister will hold bilateral talks with his Thai counterpart Paetongtarn Shinawatra at Bangkok today. They will review the progress in the entire gamut of bilateral relations and discuss ways to add greater momentum to the India-Thailand bilateral partnership and exchange views on regional and multilateral issues. They will also witness the signing of several bilateral documents.

The theme of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, to be held this Friday, is “BIMSTEC – Prosperous, Resilient and Open.” The Bangkok Vision 2030 will be adopted at the Summit, and the Report of the BIMSTEC Eminent Persons’ Group will also be endorsed to chart the future direction of BIMSTEC. Prime Minister Modi is also expected to have an audience with King Rama X and the Queen of Thailand.

India and Thailand have historically warm bilateral relations, shared civilizational, cultural, and religious bonds. Thailand is India’s maritime neighbor, a valuable partner in the Act East policy and Vision for the Indo-Pacific, and a highly valued partner in BIMSTEC. Thailand is



the third-largest economy in ASEAN and India’s fourth-largest trading partner after Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia in the ASEAN region. Bilateral trade is almost 15 billion dollars, with India’s exports to Thailand around 5 billion and imports from Thailand about 10 billion dollars. India’s focus on BIMSTEC is on institution and capacity building, strengthening security, and increasing connectivity. A number of agreements and declarations are likely to be concluded at the Summit. Prime Minister’s visit will present an opportunity to build on the positive momentum in bilateral ties since his last visit in 2019.

Following the BIMSTEC Summit, Prime Minister Modi will travel to Sri Lanka from the 4th to the 6th of April for a state visit at the invitation of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayake. Earlier, Mr Disanayake paid a State Visit to India as his first visit abroad after assuming office. This will be the Prime Minister’s fourth visit to Sri Lanka during his tenure in office. India-Sri Lanka relationship is rooted in deep civilizational links based on shared ties of history, religion, culture, and strong people-to-people ties. Sri Lanka is an integral part of India’s Neighbourhood First Policy, and the relationship has stood the test of time.