On 1 April 2015, a group of former Indian Ambassadors to Thailand consisting of Mrs. Leela K. Ponappa (2001 – 2004), Mr. Vivek Katju (2005 – 2006), Ms. Latha Reddy (2007 – 2009) and Mr. Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty (2009 – 2011) met with General Tanasak Patimapragorn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangkok.

               On behalf of the delegation, Ambassador Ponappa thanked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs for the warm welcome. The ambassadors expressed their satisfaction that the relationship between Thailand and India has taken great steps forward. The group was of the view that in order to further enhance economic cooperation,  India and Thailand should plan tangible goals through identifying key cooperation sectors, especially in the pharmaceutical and plastic industries sectors which India believes both sides has great potential.

               The ambassadors were also happy with the security and defense cooperation and India is willing to support the expansion of cooperation areas. Both sides also agreed on the importance of exploring new avenues to improve people-to-people connectivity, physical connectivity, maritime connectivity between the two countries.

               The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed his appreciation for the Ambassadors’ significant roles in fostering relations and pushing forward cooperation between the two countries, and hope that they will continue to bridge the friendship between Thailand and India. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs also thanked the Indian side for the warm hospitality he received during his recent visit to India on 10 – 12 March 2015 to attend the Delhi Dialogue VII. 

               The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs took this opportunity to convey his appreciation for the Indian Government’s understanding of Thailand’s situation and assured the Ambassadors that Thailand is committed towards creating a strong and sustainable democracy. The Indian Ambassadors expressed their confidence that Thailand will be able to implement the roadmap towards democracy as planned.

               Thailand and India established diplomatic relations on 1 August 1947 and have enjoyed a stable and mutually beneficial relationship ever since. Thailand’s “Look West Policy” complements India’s “Look East Policy”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Act East Policy” has also highly increased the rapport between the two countries. 

***********************

1 April 2015