On 25 – 26 January 2018, H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand led a Thai delegation to attend the ASEAN – India Commemorative Summit on the occasion of the 25^th Anniversary of ASEAN – India Dialogue Relations in New Delhi, the Republic of India. The delegation included H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Pichet Durongkaveroj, Minister of Digital Economy and Society, H.E. Ms. Chutima Bunyapraphasara, Deputy Minister of Commerce. The Summit was also attended by leaders from the ten ASEAN Member States and hosted by India.

          The meeting adopted the Delhi Declaration as an outcome document. The document stresses the enhancement of Strategic Partnership between ASEAN and India in the political and security, economic, and socio-cultural dimensions as well as aims to enhance connectivity, reduce development gaps, and promote stability and prosperity in the region.

          During the meeting, the Prime Minister made a statement in support of the Indo – Pacific Partnership approach and urged India and ASEAN to find a new balance to ensure regional security and stability that encompasses ASEAN centrality, trust, respect, and mutual interests. He further stressed the importance of maritime and land connectivity and encouraged all parties to enhance economic cooperation. The Prime Minister emphasized the need to utilize the ASEAN – India Free Trade Agreement, reduce trade barriers, particularly in rubber and palm oil trade, and to conclude the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations. Taking into consideration that ASEAN and India are known for their culture and innovation, the Prime Minister proposed to establish a network of “SMART Cities – Cultural Centers”.

          During the visit, the Prime Minister had a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India. Both sides discussed issues of Thai – Indian relations, including politics, security, maritime security, trade and investment, digital cooperation, rubber and palm oil trade, regional connectivity, Indo – Pacific Partnership and Thailand’s readiness to accept the Coordinatorship for ASEAN - India Dialogue Relations in August 2018.

          The Prime Minister of Thailand also had a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The meeting emphasized Thailand – Vietnam cooperation, particularly on trade and investment. The Vietnamese Prime Minister also invited the Thai Prime Minister to attend the 6^th Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Summit to be hosted by Viet Nam in March 2018.

          After the Summit, the Prime Minister and the Thai delegation attended the 69^th Republic Day Parade as Chief Guests along with the other nine ASEAN Leaders.

          Prior to the meeting, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs, as co-chair alongside H.E. Mr. Shri C R Chaudhary, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution of India, and H.E. Mr. Vijay Kumar Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs of India, delivered a special address at the Mekong – Ganga Cooperation Business Forum. The address suggested (1) a new form of connectivity that places importance on economic and moral connectivity, (2) new common goals for a sub-regional roadmap based on Ayeyawady – Chao Phraya – Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), and (3) the enhancement of collaboration between Mekong – Ganga Cooperation and the private sector as partners for sustainable development.