India, Thailand to firm up economic cooperation

New Delhi, June 15: Accompanied by a high-level official and a business delegation, Thailand’s Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-ocha will be arriving in New Delhi on Thursday on a three-day state visit. Economic cooperation will be the main component of the bilateral discussions between the two countries.

Briefing mediapersons ahead of the visit, Preeti Saran, secretary (east), external affairs ministry, said, “This is the first visit of Thai Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha to India.

“The visit is very important as it comes at a time when the two countries will be celebrating the 70th anniversary of bilateral relations. Defence, space, security and people-to-people contact are very important for both sides.”

According to Saran, the Thai PM will be accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising the deputy prime minister, five senior ministers and a 46-member business delegation.

“The two sides will also deliberate on stepping up cooperation in trade and tourism sector.

“India is keen on enhancing connectivity between the two countries and promoting the Buddhist tourist circuits,” she added.

Responding to a question, Saran said the India-Thai Free Trade Agreement will be discussed. “Both countries have had almost 29 rounds of talks for the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement.”

The volume of current annual bilateral trade between the two countries is nearly $8 billion and both sides are keen to expand it further.

On Friday, the visiting leader will be meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bilateral as well as delegation-level talks, aiming to enhance cooperation in various areas, including trade and economy, investments, infrastructure, banking, security, culture and education.

The Thai leader, together with his wife Narapor n, is also scheduled to meet with Vice-President Hamid Ansari later in the day, followed by a meeting with external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj.

On the same day, PM Modi and the visiting leader will address industry captains at a joint industry chamber meeting organised by Ficci, Assocham and CII.

The Thai PM will leave for Bodh Gaya on a pilgrimage before leaving for Bangkok.