General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand, will pay a visit to the Republic of India during 16-18 June 2016, upon the invitation of H.E. Mr. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India. He will be accompanied by H.E. Mr. Somkid Jatusriptitak, Deputy Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs, relevant government ministers as well as members of the public and private sectors.

On 17 June 2016, the Prime Minister will have a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of India, witness the exchange of agreements and attend a banquet hosted by his Indian counterpart. The Thai Prime Minister will also pay a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. M. Hamid Ansari, Vice President of India.

The two leaders will discuss ways of enhancing bilateral relations and expediting pending issues in all fields, especially politics and security, economics, culture, religion, education and multilateral affairs. Issues raised will include connectivity, particularly routes linking up South Asia and Southeast Asia; the negotiation of a Thailand-India Free Trade Agreement; increasing the volume of bilateral trade and investment through the promotion of Thai investment in India in line with the Prime Minister of India’s “Make in India” and “Smart Cities” policies; and encouraging greater Indian investment in Thailand in sectors where India has potential such as software, pharmaceuticals and auto parts production.

The Thai Prime Minister will also deliver a speech at the Thai-Indian Private Sector Business Dinner to be co-hosted by the Royal Thai Embassy and three Indian Business Associations (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry—FICCI , Confederation of Indian Industry—CII and the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India—ASSOCHAM). Meanwhile, members of the Thai Private Sector will take part in the 1st India-Thailand Joint Business Forum as well as a Thai-Indian Business Seminar to further boost economic cooperation of both sides.

On 18 June 2016, the Prime Minister and the Thai delegation will travel to Bodh Gaya to take part in a prayer and meditation ceremony beneath the Mahabodhi Tree at the Mahabodhi Temple, which was the Lord Buddha’s enlightenment site, as a form of merit making on the occasion of the 70th Anniversary Celebration of His Majesty the King’s Accession to the Throne and the 7th Cycle Birthday Anniversary of Her Majesty the Queen alongside the presentation of alms and offerings to monks at the Thai Temple in Bodh Gaya.