India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, on Monday reaffirmed the nation’s strong and enduring ties with Thailand, describing the country as a “long-time friend” and a “very important” maritime neighbour. He emphasized that India’s Act East policy aligns closely with Thailand’s Look West policy, providing a framework for deepened bilateral engagement.
Jaishankar made the remarks during a meeting with Thailand’s Foreign Minister, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, in New Delhi. He recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangkok for the BIMSTEC Summit in April 2025, which elevated the bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership and resulted in multiple agreements. These included collaborations in handlooms and handicrafts, digital technologies, MSMEs, and maritime heritage, reflecting the diverse avenues of cooperation between the two nations.
Highlighting the rapidly changing geopolitical and geo-economic landscape, Jaishankar noted the importance of regular dialogue on pressing regional and international issues. He pointed out that India and Thailand share many common interests and expressed anticipation for detailed discussions on developments in Myanmar during the Thai delegation’s visit.
Earlier, Jaishankar extended a warm welcome to Sihasak Phuangketkeow and his delegation, recalling their previous meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur. He also offered condolences on the passing of Thailand’s Queen Mother, Queen Sirikit.
Sihasak arrived in India on Sunday for his first official visit as Thailand’s Foreign Minister. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the visit as “an opportune occasion to strengthen our strategic partnership and enduring civilisational ties with Thailand,” underlining the mutual interest in enhancing cooperation across political, economic, and cultural spheres.
The meeting between Jaishankar and Sihasak reflects India’s commitment to fostering closer relations with key neighbors, building on shared values, regional stability, and collaborative development initiatives. Both countries continue to explore avenues to reinforce ties in trade, technology, and regional security.
