New Delhi: India and Thailand agreed to upgrade their bilateral ties to a strategic partnership following a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Thai counterpart Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Bangkok.
The decision came after comprehensive discussions held at the Government House in Bangkok, where both leaders, PM Modi and PM Shinawatra, reviewed existing cooperation and explored new areas of engagement.
The move reflects a growing strategic alignment between the two countries amid shifting regional dynamics in Southeast Asia.
Focus on Digital Cooperation
One key outcome of the meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society. The agreement aims to deepen cooperation in digital technologies, particularly in areas like cybersecurity, digital skilling, and emerging technologies.
The digital MoU signals a step towards enhancing interoperability and collaboration in the digital economy, an area both countries are increasingly prioritising. The cooperation is expected to include knowledge-sharing, joint training initiatives, and potential development of regulatory frameworks for digital ecosystems.
Maritime Heritage Project Gets Bilateral Backing
In a separate development, both nations signed another MoU to support the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat. The agreement was inked between India’s Sagarmala Division under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Thailand’s Fine Arts Department under the Ministry of Culture.
This cultural collaboration is likely to contribute to India’s efforts to position Lothal as a major centre for maritime heritage, linking it to broader regional narratives in Southeast Asia. The partnership may also facilitate the exchange of knowledge, preservation techniques, and historical research.
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