Indo-Thai Relations

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What is the issue?
India-Thai relations to be get stronger on people-to-people contact.

What is the importance of Indo-Thai relations?
India and Thailand have historical and cultural roots that reach beyond our 70 years of diplomatic relations.
Both countries have been shaped and remain linked by the great forces of history and culture that span thousands of years.
There are lot of literary and other artistic sources to prove the ties.

What are the area specific significance of the bilateral ties?

Economy - Both countries are undergoing comprehensive reforms.
Make in India is pursuing sustainable and inclusive economic growth for its peoples.
Thailand 4.0, targeting Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
These reformative actions can be utilized by both the nation for strengthening their ties.
Political - Prime Minister of Thailand visited India in 2016.
There is a common challenge in the fight against terrorism, narcotics and transnational organised crime.
Military and security relations are constructive and mutually beneficial, covering the land, sea and air dimensions.
India has a valuable role to play, together with other regional powers, in ASEAN and the greater Indo-Pacific.
Trade - Thailand, being well established on global value chains, holds great opportunities for India, especially in manufacturing and services.
Thailand is working hard with India to link these two markets through India’s North-eastern region and Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar.
Beyond India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, modes of connectivity, particularly maritime and air, should also be utilised to their maximum potential.
New initiatives such as the Eastern Economic Corridor offer opportunities in the areas of next generation automotive, aviation, smart electronics, robotics, digital economy, healthcare, biotech, biofuel and biochemical.
Multilateral ties - Political will on all sides will also ensure delivery of the RCEP and BIMSTEC FTAs to give an added economic boost to ASEAN, South Asia and beyond.
This year also marks the 25th anniversary of ASEAN-India relations.
An invitation has also been extended to the leaders of the 10 ASEAN member states to visit India for the Republic Day celebration on January 26, 2018.
Society - Last year, India paid its respects to the late King in Bangkok, which touched the hearts and souls of the Thai people.
Last March, HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn made her 17th visit to receive the Padma Bhushan from Indian president.
Booming tourism and exchanges of high-profile visits are helping to transform the modern Thai person’s perspective on new India and vice versa.
People to people contacts are great, with 1.2 million Indians visiting Thailand every year.
This healthy people-to-people contacts adds to the reserve of goodwill that Indians have for Thais.

• Source: Indian Express

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