Bangkok [Thailand], April 2 : Indian envoy Nagesh Singh expressed optimism about elevating the India-Thailand partnership to a strategic level during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Thailand. This significant diplomatic engagement aims to strengthen bilateral ties and regional cooperation.
"On the bilateral side, like I said, it's very important. MoUs will be signed - there will be a joint press statement by the two leaders, some soft exchanges of gifts, etc," Singh told ANI.
PM Modi's visit, scheduled for April 3-4, will include bilateral meetings with Thai leaders. They will discuss ways to enhance cooperation in areas like defense, security, education, and people-to-people connections.
One key aspect of the visit is PM Modi's participation in the BIMSTEC Summit, which focuses on promoting regional cooperation and connectivity among member countries. The summit will discuss various issues, including trade, investment, and security cooperation.
Singh detailed the Prime Minister's agenda, stating, "And on the fourth, the BIMSTEC summit is in the morning. In the afternoon, he'll be going to Wat Pho, which is one of the most iconic temples in Bangkok or Thailand. The reclining Buddha statue - the PM will also be paying his respects to Lord Buddha, and it is expected that the Prime Minister of Thailand would accompany him."
The visit will also include an audience with Thailand's royal family and a meeting with the Indian community in Thailand.
"He also has an audience with Their Majesties, the King and Queen, before he departs from Thailand for his next destination," said the Indian envoy.
India and Thailand have a long-standing relationship, with cultural and historical ties dating back centuries. The two countries have been working together in various areas, including trade, investment, defense, and tourism. In 2022, India and Thailand celebrated the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations
Highlighting the similar geopolitical realities, Singh said, "On Myanmar, I can tell you that Thailand and India are in a very similar situation. Thailand has a 2400-kilometre land border with Myanmar, deep ethnic and civilisational connects with Myanmar just like us. We have about 1,700 kilometres of land border."
The India-Thailand partnership has significant potential for growth, with bilateral trade valued at USD 16.89 billion in 2022-23. The two countries have identified areas like value-added marine products, smartphones, electric vehicles, and pharmaceuticals as potential sectors for strengthened partnerships.
"Both of us want peace and stability in Myanmar because a lot of our ambitious connectivity projects, such as the trilateral highway, etc., are dependent on that. We wish the people of Myanmar well, and if we have to realise our goals for a kind of connectivity between northeast of India into greater Southeast Asia, peace and stability in Myanmar is a sine qua non," said Singh.
Regarding India's broader stance on Myanmar's political situation, Singh reiterated, "We want democracy to be restored, an inclusive government. We want it to be Myanmar-led, Myanmar-owned, and anything we can do to facilitate that process. I think that's what the Government of India has said. Thailand has a similar position because, again, for them, it's an existential issue, given the close connections between the two countries, the land border, which I mentioned."
The issue of scam operations in the region also came up, with Singh clarifying that such operations were primarily located outside Thailand. "The scamming centres are not in Thailand. Thailand, at times, is used as a transit route for these people who are going into these scamming centres and illegal casinos in Myanmar, in Laos and in Cambodia, in the bordering areas of these countries."
He acknowledged Thailand's support in addressing the issue, revealing, "Thailand has been very helpful to us. Around March 10 this year, with the support and help of the Royal Thai Government, we sent back 549 of our citizens who were caught there. We will be talking about it because it also impacts Thailand. Thai citizens are also stuck there."
Singh further stressed the broader security implications of such activities, stating, "And normally, whenever such criminal enterprises grow in whichever part, especially in our neighbouring areas, it has security implications for every country. I think there will be a discussion between our two sides, because Thailand is also very concerned about it, but we are very grateful to the Royal Thai Government for helping us in evacuating our people, many more might happen in the future as and when we are informed about it, but it's an issue of common concern for both our countries."