Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Bangkok on Thursday to a warm welcome from the Indian expatriates, who welcomed him with "Modi Modi" and "Vande Mataram" slogans.
The Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Prasert Jantararuangtong, and a few top officials welcomed PM Modi at the airport.
The Prime Minister is on a visit to Thailand to attend the 6th BIMSTEC Summit on April 4 during which he will meet with regional leaders to discuss priority areas of cooperation. He is also scheduled to have bilateral talks with the Thai leadership to further improve India-Thailand relations.
Part of his interactions will be with the members of the Indian diaspora, and it will showcase the cultural and economic ties between the two countries being deep.
PM Modi's Address on BIMSTEC and India's Role
Prior to leaving for Thailand, PM Modi highlighted India's support for regional cooperation by stating:
"At the invitation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, I am leaving today for Thailand on an official visit and to participate in the 6th BIMSTEC Summit."
He pointed out the importance of BIMSTEC in developing regional development, connectivity, and economic growth in the Bay of Bengal area, further stating:
"With its geographical positioning, India's North Eastern region is at the centre of BIMSTEC."
PM Modi was hopeful regarding his talks with other leaders of BIMSTEC, stating:
"I look forward to meeting the leaders of the BIMSTEC countries and engaging productively to further strengthen our collaboration with the interests of our people in mind."
Strengthening India-Thailand Relations
During his visit, PM Modi will meet with Thai Prime Minister Shinawatra and other senior leaders, focusing on deepening historical ties between India and Thailand. He acknowledged the strong cultural, philosophical, and spiritual connection between the two countries.
PM Modi’s Upcoming Visit to Sri Lanka
After his Thailand tour, PM Modi will then visit Sri Lanka between April 4-6, which is yet another major diplomatic outreach. This visit is a follow-up to Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe's visit to India in December 2023.
He mentioned that talks with Sri Lankan leadership would include discussing progress on the shared vision of 'Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future.'
"Hope that these visits will reinforce the foundations of the past and contribute to further solidifying our strong relationships for the good of our people and the broader region," PM Modi added.
India's Leadership in BIMSTEC
India is a pivotal player in BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation), a regional body consisting of seven members—five from South Asia (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka) and two from Southeast Asia (Myanmar, Thailand).
BIMSTEC serves as a bridge between Southeast Asia and South Asia, with India being its largest and most powerful member. The participation of PM Modi is likely to enhance India's leadership in the grouping and reinforce regional cooperation.
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