BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand and India have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening economic cooperation, enhancing connectivity, and promoting skill development and startups, while expanding collaboration under BIMSTEC.
Nalinee Taveesin, Thailand Trade Representative, met with Suman Berry, Vice Chairman of India’s National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog), to discuss strategies for fostering economic ties, infrastructure development, and knowledge exchange in public policy. The meeting emphasized removing trade barriers and boosting cooperation in key industries such as electric vehicles, clean energy, and the digital economy.
Thailand also extended an invitation to Indian businesses to invest in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and leverage Thailand as a gateway to ASEAN. Additionally, Thailand is pushing for the development of Ranong Port as a primary link to the Indian Ocean and aligning with India’s Indian-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) while strengthening land and air connectivity.
India, as one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia, underscored its potential for expanded collaboration in technology, innovation, and the digital economy through initiatives such as Make in India, Smart Cities, and Clean India. The discussion also covered strategic partnerships in science, cybersecurity, space technology, biotechnology, and fisheries, particularly in tuna exports. Thailand expressed interest in leveraging India’s expertise to upgrade Thai labor skills and support Thai startups in adapting to modern investment landscapes.
The two nations also explored cooperation in Buddhist tourism, soft power initiatives such as Thai cuisine and Muay Thai, and economic partnerships through regional frameworks like BIMSTEC, ASEAN+6, and BRICS. Both parties affirmed their commitment to strengthening private sector engagement through joint ventures and investment projects, further integrating their economies into global trade networks. (NNT)
