MEA: Jaishankar’s talks with Thai counterpart bolstered bilateral ties
External affairs minister S Jaishankar and his Thai counterpart Maris Sangiampongsa have reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation in areas of trade, connectivity and investment.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said this on Sunday, two days after the two foreign ministers held talks on the sidelines of a meeting of the BIMSTEC grouping.
“The two ministers reviewed progress across various areas of partnership covering political exchanges, defence and security ties, trade and investment opportunities, connectivity, science and technology collaboration, health cooperation, culture and people-to-people interaction,” the MEA said. A key member of the 10-nation ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) grouping, Thailand is seen by India as a crucial strategic partner in the Southeast Asian region.
“The two ministers exchanged views on issues of mutual interest and reiterated commitment to closer cooperation in sub-regional, regional and multilateral fora,” it said.
On 12 July, Jaishankar held a meeting with the Thai minister and hosted a lunch in his honour.
The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), brings together seven countries of South and Southeast Asia for multifaceted cooperation. In accordance with the vision of the two prime ministers, Jaishankar and Sangiampongsa reaffirmed the mutual desire for a stronger India-Thailand partnership, the MEA said.
India sees Thailand as crucial in ASEAN, fostering strategic ties through BIMSTEC and mutual commitment to regional and global cooperation