New Delhi:At a time when there is a huge shift in the geopolitical scenario, the Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand's visit to India marks a significant step towards re-strengthening bilateral and economic ties between the countries.
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara arrived in New Delhi on Monday and his visit is not just a diplomatic formality but a testament to the enduring relationship and mutual aspirations that unite these two Asian nations. The visit underscores the deepening Indo-Thai diplomatic and economic ties with a discussion focusing on trade, technology, defense, and future collaborations in different sectors.
The visit comes days after the holy relics of Lord Buddha and his two disciples were recently enshrined in Bangkok after being ferried from India to Thailand for a 26-day exposition. This reflects the strong India-Thailand bond over Buddhism and the strong cultural connection between the two Asian nations.
Speaking about the significance of the visit, Harsh V Pant, Director of Studies and Head of the strategic studies program at Observer Research Foundation (ORF) said, "For a long time Thailand had complained that India has ignored Thailand but now we are looking at India trying to engage Thailand both in terms of its cultural ties and also in terms of how India is positioning itself in the wider south East Asian region with Thailand becoming India's main gateway to wider Southeast Asia. That's what the deputy PM visit to India also signifies. I think there is a sense that India as a rising power in the region and beyond from Thailand's perspective has to be engaged much more robustly".
"India-Thailand bilateral ties have been slow to evolve compared to other Southeast Asian countries. But now there is a new impetus in these ties and I think the recent visit underscores the commitment of Thailand and New Delhi to take this relationship forward in a much more robust manner," Pant told ETV Bharat.