News Highlight
India and Thailand review defence ties during the 8th Defence Dialogue in Bangkok.
Key Takeaway
- On April 20, 2023, the 8th India-Thailand Defence Dialogue was conducted in Bangkok.
- The meeting was co-chaired by the Special Secretary, Ministry of Defence, India, and General Nuchit Sribunsong, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Thailand.
- All sides enjoyed the two countries’ continuous defence cooperation during the discussion.
8th India-Thailand Defence Dialogue
- Key Findings
- The status of key bilateral defence cooperation programmes was discussed.
- The co-chairs recognised opportunities to expand existing areas of partnership.
- Particularly in the defence industry, maritime security, and international cooperation.
- Thailand showed confidence in the Indian defence industry’s capabilities.
- The two chairs also highlighted initiatives towards developing areas of collaboration and global commons challenges.
India-Thailand relations
- Defence Cooperation
- The bilateral defence interactions have grown over time. It includes:
- Defence Dialogue meetings
- Military-to-military exchanges
- High-level visits
- Capacity-building and training programs
- The annual joint military exercises.
- Defence Exercises
- Exercise MAITREE (Army).
- Exercise SIAM BHARAT (Air Force).
- India-Thailand Coordinated Patrol (Navy).
- The bilateral defence interactions have grown over time. It includes:
- Economic And Commercial Relations
- Despite the pandemic, bilateral trade reached USD 12.12 billion in 2019 and USD 9.76 billion in 2020.
- Thailand’s exports to India totalled USD 7.60 billion in 2018, while Indian exports to Thailand totalled USD 4.86 billion.
- In 2021-22, bilateral trade between India and Thailand will hit an all-time high of roughly USD 15 billion.
- Thailand is India’s fifth largest trading partner in the ASEAN area, following Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
- Thai goods currently benefit from tax reductions under the ASEAN-India FTA in Goods, which went into effect in January 2010.
- Diplomatic Relations
- Thailand and India have a long diplomatic history dating back to 1947.
- The partnership is founded on economic and cultural ties that date back more than 2000 years.
- India’s ‘Look East’ policy (since 1993) parallels Thailand’s ‘Look West’ policy (since 1996).
- It has now evolved into India’s ‘Act East’ and Thailand’s ‘Act West,” both significantly contributing to consolidating bilateral relations, particularly economic and commercial ties.
- Cultural Cooperation
- India and Thailand have an active cultural exchange programme, with Indian cultural troupes, festivals, and events visiting regularly.
- In 2009, an Indian Cultural Centre, the Swami Vivekananda Culture Centre, opened in Bangkok.
- Thailand commemorated Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s 550th birth anniversary with numerous festivities and a big Nagar Kirtan procession in Bangkok.
- Thailand has launched the Thai language version of India’s Constitution.
Significance of India-Thailand relations
- The trilateral highway is an important access point to ASEAN for developing India’s Northeast.
- It facilitates trade and commerce as well as people-to-people contacts.
- Completing this project will also be a significant step forward for Ranong Port’s multimodal connectivity with India and Myanmar.
- The Indian government hopes to expand the route to cover Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.
- Bangladesh has been in talks to join this collaboration since 2020 as the Trilateral highway.
- It aims to promote and improve the nation’s trade and connectivity.
Way Forward
- Both should eliminate trade barriers and reduce import duty rates through bilateral discussions in order to boost trade and investment.
- Opportunities for collaboration between India’s start-up ecosystem and Thailand should also be explored.
- By investing in each other’s markets, the two countries can work together to bridge supply chain gaps.
- Defence engagements, military-to-military exchanges, and joint exercises must also be continued to deepen strategic and security cooperation.
Pic Courtesy: iStock
Content Source: PIB