Thailand, India sign agreements
Talks to Modi on boosting trade, maritime security and road project.
THAILAND and India yesterday signed two agreements on cultural exchange, academic cooperation during Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s official visit to India.
The signing came after a one-on-one and full-team bilateral discussion between Prayut and Narendra Modi, his Indian counterpart, Deputy Government Spokesperson Maj-Gen Werachon Sukondhapaitpak said.
The academic cooperation agreement was made between Chiang Mai University and Nagaland University.
The two leaders also issued a joint statement after their talks, saying they expected to increase maritime, cybersecurity, military and intelligence cooperation. They also pledged to push the India-Myanmar-Thai road project, cooperate in air traffic service, promote people-to-people cooperation and make quick progress in the talks on Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multisectoral Technical and Economic Cooper-ation.
Prayut arrived in New Delhi on Thursday after an invitation from Modi and is due to return today.
Prayut is accompanied by his wife Naraporn and a high-level team made up of several Cabinet ministers, senior officials and a 46-member business delegation.
Prior to the meeting with Modi, Prayut also met with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to discuss two-way investment, religious tourism and the 70th anniversary of Thai-India diplomatic relations next year.
Prayut and Swaraj also talked on each other’s capacity to be a gateway to their regions. “India’s excellent relations with Thailand are an important and integral component of India’s strategic partnership with Asean,” the External Affairs Ministry statement said. “India’s ’Act East’ policy is complemented by Thailand’s ‘Look West’ policy in bringing the two countries closer.”
Prayut, his deputy Somkid Jatusripitak and the high-level delegation also met with more than 50 businessmen from Thai private sectors in India to discuss business challenges and opportunities in the world’s third largest economy.
While Indians are impressed by the images and quality of Thai goods, the businessmen said they still face challenges such as the variety of consumer behaviour, regulations, copy infringement issues and struggle with food imports.
“Trade between the two countries is quite low and there is room for more cooperation ,” the Thai Board of Investment deputy secretary general Chokedee Kaewasang said. “Thailand and India are in a unique position to help each other. Thailand will help India in getting access to Asean,” he said. Prayut also attended a business event hosted by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Confederation of Indian Industry, and the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India, during which he encouraged Indian businessmen to invest in the Kingdom.
The premier and Naraporn are due to visit Bodh Gaya today before returning to Bangkok.
