In April 2025, India and Thailand strengthened their bilateral relations, marked by a series of agreements and a shared vision for regional cooperation .
Key Highlights of India-Thailand Relations in April 2025:
- Strategic Partnership: India and Thailand elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership . This enhanced cooperation across various sectors, including defense and security, trade and investment, and connectivity . A strategic dialogue between security agencies was also established .
- Agreements and MoUs: During Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Thailand, multiple agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed to boost collaboration in various fields . These included:
- Cooperation in IT, maritime affairs, MSME, and the handicraft and handloom sectors .
- An MoU between the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region (MDoNER) and the Thailand Foreign Ministry to promote cooperation in tourism, culture, and education between Thailand and India’s northeastern states .
- Economic Cooperation: Both countries expressed commitment to strengthening economic ties .
- They acknowledged the growing mutual trade, investment, and business exchanges .
- They agreed to enhance cooperation in renewable energy, digital technology, e-vehicles, robotics, space, bio-technology, and startups .
- They also aimed to boost FinTech connectivity .
- Connectivity: Emphasis was placed on enhancing connectivity through projects like the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway .
- Indo-Pacific Vision: Both countries share a vision for a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region . They support ASEAN unity and centrality in the region .
- Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges:
- India has started offering free e-visa facilities to Thai tourists to promote people-to-people exchanges .
- The leaders emphasized the deep cultural and spiritual ties between the two nations, rooted in the spread of Buddhism and the influence of the Ramayana .
- Security Cooperation: Both countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in combating human trafficking and illegal migration . Thailand was also thanked for its cooperation in facilitating the return of Indian victims of cybercrime .
- BIMSTEC Summit: Prime Minister Modi participated in the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand, highlighting the importance of regional development, connectivity, and economic progress in the Bay of Bengal region .
