Introduction

The diplomatic relations between India and Thailand have entered a new phase of cooperation and strategic engagement, with the elevation of their bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on an official visit to Thailand from April 3–4, 2025, to attend the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, met Prime Minister of Thailand Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

India and Thailand share a deep historical connection rooted in cultural, religious, linguistic, and economic exchanges spanning centuries. The two nations have maintained strong diplomatic ties for over 78 years, and their partnership has evolved into a comprehensive engagement covering multiple sectors, including trade, defense, security, technology, connectivity, education, and people-to-people exchanges. The establishment of the India-Thailand Consular Dialogue and the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) during this visit reflect a commitment to deepening cooperation at all levels.

Strategic Partnership: A New Era of Cooperation

Recognizing the potential for enhanced collaboration in the evolving global geopolitical landscape, both countries agreed to elevate their ties to a Strategic Partnership. This move underscores a shared vision for regional peace, stability, and prosperity and provides a framework for both nations to jointly address emerging global challenges.

Political and Diplomatic Cooperation

Political cooperation forms the foundation of the Strategic Partnership, aiming to enhance diplomatic engagement and align foreign policy objectives. The key agreements under this domain include:

• Regular High-Level Exchanges: Both nations will conduct frequent bilateral dialogues at the leadership and ministerial levels, ensuring continuous engagement in matters of regional and global significance. These discussions will also take place on the sidelines of major multilateral summits.
• Foreign Office Consultations: Strengthening institutional frameworks through the Joint Committee for Bilateral Cooperation and the Foreign Office Consultations at senior officials’ levels.
• Parliamentary Exchanges: Establishing mechanisms for legislative dialogue to enhance policy alignment and cooperation on legal and governance matters.

Defense and Security Cooperation

India and Thailand recognize the increasing complexities of global and regional security challenges, including traditional and non-traditional threats such as maritime security, cybersecurity, transnational crimes, and counterterrorism. The Strategic Partnership seeks to enhance defense ties through:

• Strengthened Defense Mechanisms: Expansion of military collaboration in defense technology, research, training, joint exercises, and industry partnerships.
• Security Dialogues and Intelligence Sharing: Regular strategic dialogues at the Deputy National Security Adviser level, focusing on countering cyber threats, organized crime, human trafficking, drug smuggling, and money laundering.
• Maritime Security and Law Enforcement: Greater engagement between naval forces and coast guards to address illegal fishing, piracy, and maritime border security concerns.

Economic, Trade, and Investment Cooperation

Economic cooperation remains a key pillar of the India-Thailand partnership, with bilateral trade reaching $15 billion in 2023-24. Both sides aim to expand and diversify economic engagement in the following ways:

• Review of Trade Agreements: Expedited review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) to facilitate trade liberalization and improve market access.
• Promotion of Future-Oriented Industries: Increased collaboration in renewable energy, electric vehicles, biotechnology, digital technology, artificial intelligence, and space research.
• Trade Facilitation and Investment Linkages: Strengthening economic integration through India’s Make in India initiative and Thailand’s Ignite Thailand vision, supported by enhanced investment policies, industrial corridors, and Special Economic Zones (SEZs).
• Financial Cooperation: Exploring the implementation of a local currency-based trade settlement mechanism to reduce dependency on international currencies and improve trade efficiency.

Connectivity and Infrastructure Development

Improving connectivity is central to fostering economic, trade, and cultural exchanges between the two nations. Key initiatives include:

• India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway: Fast-tracking the construction and expansion of this crucial land corridor to enhance trade and mobility across South and Southeast Asia.
• Maritime Connectivity: Establishing coastal shipping agreements and port-to-port linkages to facilitate trade and reduce logistical bottlenecks.
• Aviation Cooperation: Engaging civil aviation authorities to increase direct flights and improve air connectivity for business and tourism.

Cultural, Educational, and People-to-People Exchanges

Recognizing the shared cultural and historical heritage, both countries agreed to strengthen educational, cultural, and tourism-related engagements:

• Academic and Research Cooperation: Expanding student exchange programs, scholarships, and joint research initiatives in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), humanities, and vocational training.
• Promotion of Traditional Medicine: Encouraging collaboration in Ayurveda and Thai traditional medicine, along with pharmaceutical research and healthcare exchanges.
• Tourism and Heritage Promotion: Leveraging historical and religious ties, particularly related to Buddhism, to promote cultural tourism and increase visitor exchanges.

BIMSTEC Summit and Regional Cooperation

During the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, both nations reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. Key areas of focus include:

• Regional Connectivity Initiatives: Strengthening the BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity, which aims to improve infrastructure and trade routes across the Bay of Bengal region.
• BIMSTEC Economic Integration: Promoting sustainable trade, investment, and economic collaboration under BIMSTEC agreements.
• ASEAN-India Cooperation: Implementing the ASEAN-India Joint Statement on Cooperation on the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), with Thailand co-leading the Maritime Ecology Pillar of the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) alongside Australia.
• Multilateral Engagement: Strengthening cooperation under regional and international frameworks such as ASEAN, Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC), Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), and the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD).

Conclusion

The elevation of India-Thailand relations to a Strategic Partnership signifies a significant transformation in their diplomatic engagement. This partnership is not only beneficial for bilateral growth but also contributes to regional stability and multilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. The commitments made during this visit—ranging from defense and economic partnerships to connectivity and cultural cooperation—highlight the strategic depth and future-oriented nature of India-Thailand relations.

By reinforcing trade, security, infrastructure, and multilateral engagements, both nations are poised to play a leading role in regional integration. The BIMSTEC Summit further strengthens India’s influence in the Bay of Bengal region, cementing its position as a key driver of regional development and strategic cooperation.

This new chapter in India-Thailand ties is expected to yield long-term economic, security, and diplomatic benefits while strengthening their role in the evolving geopolitical and economic landscape of Asia.