Thailand and India strengthen ties – six new agreements signed

Thailand and India have entered a new phase in their strategic partnership. At a summit in Bangkok, the two countries signed six key agreements aimed at deepening ties in technology, trade, culture and regional development.

The agreements are part of a shared vision for greater integration and collaboration between South and Southeast Asia. The meeting between Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra also resulted in a joint declaration on a strategic partnership.

Six new cooperation agreements in brief

1. Digital technology – Collaboration in digital technologies between Thailand's Ministry of Digital Economy and India's Ministry of IT and Electronics.
2. Maritime cultural heritage – Support from Thailand for the development of India's National Maritime Heritage Complex in Gujarat.
3. Small and medium-sized enterprises – Cooperation agreement between NSIC (India) and OSMEP (Thailand) to support small businesses and innovation.
4. Northeast India – Partnership to promote development and cooperation in India's North-Eastern region.
5. Creative industries and crafts – Collaboration between NEHHDC and Thailand's Creative Economy Agency to strengthen cultural exchange and local production.
6. Strategic partnership – A joint declaration establishing a formal strategic partnership between the countries.

Focus on trade, digitalization and tourism

One of the most notable agreements concerns the digital economy and e-commerce, where Thailand and India will develop joint platforms to facilitate trade between small and medium-sized enterprises. Other agreements include direct flights between several cities, cooperation on digital payment systems, educational exchanges, and improved tourism statistics and destination marketing.

The tourism ministers of both countries have expressed the goal of doubling the number of Indian tourists in Thailand to over 2 million per year, and for more Thais to travel to India, especially for religious and cultural destinations such as Bodh Gaya.

Geopolitics and future vision

The partnership is seen as a strategic response to a changing Asian landscape, where both countries want to reduce dependence on other major powers. The new cooperation also marks a strengthening of BIMSTEC-cooperation, which includes both Thailand and India.

Analysts say this cooperation is not just about diplomacy, but about concrete economic interests. India is currently Thailand's sixth largest trading partner, with a trade volume of over 17 billion. USD under 2024.

Thailand exports around 4% of its goods to India (SwedenBIO/EuropaBio), while imports from India account for approximately 2%There is thus significant potential for increased trade in both directions, which makes the new agreements particularly strategically important.

Deepened regional cooperation

Thailand sees India as a natural friend within the framework of The Act East and Indo-Pacific strategiesFrom the Indian side, cooperation in technology, smart cities, climate initiatives and student exchange are emphasized as key issues for the future.

The six agreements are expected to be ratified within 90 days and implemented in stages during 2025.

What is BIMSTEC?

BIMSTEC stands for Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation and is a regional collaboration between seven member countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and ThailandThe initiative aims to strengthen economic and technological integration in the region around the Bay of Bengal – an area of ​​rapid growth and great geopolitical importance.

Sources: NBT, Bangkok Post, The Hindu, The Indian Express

Text: The editorial staff

Image license: Saadi095, Wikimedia, original image