Prime Minister Narendra Modi commenced a significant two-day official visit to the Kingdom of Thailand on Thursday, marking another crucial chapter in India’s ongoing diplomatic outreach and regional engagement. The visit is centered around his participation in the sixth edition of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit, which is being held in Bangkok, Thailand’s bustling and culturally rich capital.
Upon his arrival at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok, Prime Minister Modi was received with ceremonial warmth and respect. The Indian Prime Minister was welcomed by Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Mr. Suriya Jungrungreangkit, who extended a cordial reception on behalf of the Thai government. The arrival ceremony also featured a vibrant and symbolic cultural display by members of the Indian diaspora, particularly from the Sikh community, who performed the energetic Bhangra dance, showcasing India’s diverse cultural heritage and the strong emotional ties between the Indian community and their homeland.
Modi’s Message: Strengthening Bilateral Ties and Regional Unity
Shortly after landing in Bangkok, Prime Minister Modi took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to share his sentiments and objectives for the visit. “Landed in Bangkok, Thailand. Looking forward to participating in the upcoming official engagements and strengthening the bonds of cooperation between India and Thailand,” he posted, indicating the broader diplomatic goals of his tour—deepening bilateral ties and enhancing India’s leadership role in regional platforms.
India–Thailand Relations: Civilizational Bonds and Maritime Partnerships
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also shared updates on the Prime Minister’s arrival and the significance of his visit. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, in a post on X, wrote: “Special maritime neighbours with shared civilizational bonds. PM @narendramodi lands in the vibrant cultural city of Bangkok on an Official Visit. Warmly received by the Deputy PM & Minister of Transport Mr. Suriya Jungrungreangkit at the airport.”
The post emphasized the deep-rooted historical, cultural, and maritime connections between India and Thailand—two countries bound not only by geography but also by centuries of shared civilizational interactions, including trade, religion, and cultural exchange. The visit provides an opportunity to reaffirm these long-standing ties while also advancing cooperation in contemporary areas such as security, infrastructure, connectivity, and economic integration.
Bilateral Talks with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra
During his stay in Thailand, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to hold high-level bilateral discussions with his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, a prominent political figure and leader of the Pheu Thai Party. The two leaders are expected to engage in wide-ranging talks that will cover multiple aspects of the India-Thailand relationship, including trade, strategic cooperation, people-to-people ties, digital connectivity, and regional security concerns.
These talks are anticipated to result in the announcement of new agreements or frameworks to strengthen collaboration in areas such as defense, infrastructure development, maritime cooperation, education, tourism, and cultural exchanges.
The 6th BIMSTEC Summit: A Crucial Regional Gathering
A key highlight of Prime Minister Modi’s visit is his participation in the Sixth BIMSTEC Summit, which is scheduled to be held on Thursday evening. The summit will bring together the heads of state and government from the seven BIMSTEC member nations—India, Thailand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar.
The leaders will come together to oversee the signing of a landmark Agreement on Maritime Cooperation, an initiative aimed at enhancing collective maritime security, improving regional shipping and port infrastructure, and fostering sustainable ocean governance in the Bay of Bengal region.
The BIMSTEC Summit presents Prime Minister Modi with the opportunity to hold informal or formal interactions with key regional leaders, including:
- Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli of Nepal
- Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh
- Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the head of Myanmar’s ruling military junta
These interactions are expected to be diplomatically sensitive, especially in light of recent tensions, such as Yunus’s controversial remarks on India’s Northeastern states and ongoing concerns about Myanmar’s internal situation.
BIMSTEC as a Pillar of India’s Regional Diplomacy
In a statement issued prior to his departure for Bangkok, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the importance of the BIMSTEC framework to India’s broader foreign policy and regional strategy. “Over the past decade, BIMSTEC has emerged as a key regional platform for fostering development, enhancing connectivity, and ensuring economic progress across the Bay of Bengal region,” the Prime Minister said.
He emphasized India’s commitment to taking a leadership role within the organization, especially in promoting multilateral cooperation in critical sectors such as trade and investment, energy, security, digital transformation, environmental protection, and cultural exchange.
Visit to Sri Lanka to Follow
Following the conclusion of his engagements in Thailand, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to depart for Sri Lanka, marking his first visit to the island nation since the election of its new president. This visit is expected to be equally significant, providing an opportunity for both countries to reaffirm their strategic and economic partnership. Discussions in Colombo will likely focus on areas such as post-crisis economic recovery, regional security cooperation, infrastructure investment, and people-centric development initiatives
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Thailand comes at a pivotal time when regional dynamics in South and Southeast Asia are undergoing rapid transformation, driven by shifts in global geopolitics, economic realignments, and strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific.
By attending the BIMSTEC Summit and engaging bilaterally with key regional leaders, the Prime Minister is not only reaffirming India’s traditional ties with its immediate neighbors but also reinforcing New Delhi’s commitment to multilateralism, regional integration, and cooperative security in the Bay of Bengal and beyond