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Embassy of India
Bangkok
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Press Release
Visit of Foreign Minister of Thailand to India-December 27, 2011
H.E. Dr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, accompanied by a high level delegation, paid an official visit to India from 26th-27th, December, 2011 for the 6th meeting of India-Thailand Joint Commission (JCM). The JCM co-chaired by the External Affairs Minister (EAM) Shri S M Krishna, was held on December 27, 2011.
2. EAM had wide range of discussions with the Foreign Minister of Thailand H.E. Dr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul, covering bilateral, regional and international issues. Both leaders affirmed the strong bilateral ties between India and Thailand and discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation in diverse areas such as trade, investment, security & defence cooperation, tourism, education, culture, science & technology, energy, infrastructure and civil aviation etc.
3. Both sides took note of the growing trend in bilateral trade and investment. Bilateral trade has multiplied around 6 times over past decades and having reached US $ 6.6 bn in 2010, is poised to touch US$ 8 bn in 2011. The two countries are also negotiating a bilateral Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement. Culture and tourism are other important areas of cooperation. The two sides finalized the cultural exchange programme for 2012-14. India and Thailand welcomed the idea of setting up of an India-Thailand foundation and agreed to work out the modalities of the foundation at the earliest. Around one million Indians visited Thailand for tourism this year. The two sides have agreed to form an ad-hoc working group to discuss various issues pertaining to bilateral visa and consular matters.
4. It was also agreed to revive the bilateral MoU on cooperation in Information Technology and Services. Thailand proposes to host the first meeting of JWG on Agricultural Cooperation in 2012. The next meeting of JWG on Education will be hosted in India. India and Thailand have formed a Joint Committee for enhancing cooperation in the field of renewable energy under a bilateral MoU.
5. Both sides expressed their desire to further deepen their valued partnership and cooperation in the context of India’s deepening ties with ASEAN, EAS, BIMSTEC and MGC. India considers Thailand as a crucial component of its Look East Policy. The Thai Foreign Minister described expanding relations with India as central to Thailand’s Look West Policy.
New Delhi
December 27, 2011
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