In a landmark step to deepen bilateral ties, India and Thailand signed six agreements on April 3, 2025, fostering cooperation in information technology (IT), maritime heritage, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), handicrafts, and handlooms. The agreements were formalized following high-level talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra at the Government House in Bangkok, marking a new chapter in the strategic partnership between the two nations.
Elevating Ties to a Strategic Partnership
During the bilateral discussions, both leaders reviewed the progress of India-Thailand relations and announced the elevation of their relationship to a Strategic Partnership. Prime Minister Modi emphasized Thailand’s pivotal role in India’s ‘Act East’ policy and IndoPacific vision, noting that the agreements align with Thailand’s ‘Act West’ policy to enhance mutual cooperation. “We have emphasized cooperation in tourism, culture, and education, particularly between India’s northeastern states and Thailand. Agreements in MSME, handloom, and handicrafts will foster trade and cultural exchange,” Modi said during a joint press statement.
Key Agreements Signed
The six agreements cover a range of sectors critical to economic and cultural collaboration:
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Joint Declaration on India-Thailand Strategic Partnership: Formalizing the elevated status of bilateral relations to drive cooperation across strategic areas.
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Digital Technologies: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society to advance collaboration in IT, including digital innovation and technology exchange.
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Maritime Heritage: An MoU between India’s Sagarmala Division (Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways) and Thailand’s Fine Arts Department (Ministry of Culture) for the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat, promoting shared maritime history.
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MSME Cooperation: An agreement between India’s National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) and Thailand’s Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP) to strengthen business partnerships and support small enterprises in both countries.
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Northeast Connectivity: An MoU between India’s Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) and Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to enhance infrastructure, trade, and connectivity between Thailand and India’s northeastern states.
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Handcrafts and Handlooms: An MoU between India’s North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC) and Thailand’s Creative Economy Agency (CEA) to promote cultural collaborations and traditional crafts.
Cultural and Strategic Synergies
The agreements reflect the deep cultural and historical ties between India and Thailand, rooted in centuries-old connections through Buddhism, the Ramayana, and Sanskrit-Pali influences. Modi highlighted the exchange of scholars between Ayuthhava and Nalanda and the enduring presence of the Ramayana in Thai folk life through the Ramakien. To mark the occasion, Thailand issued a special postage stamp featuring 18th-century Ramayana mural paintings, and Prime Minister Shinavatra presented Modi with “The World Tipitaka: Sajithaya Phonetic Edition,” a 108-volume compilation of Lord Buddha’s teachings.
Modi also expressed India’s condolences for the lives lost in the March 28, 2025, earthquake affecting Thailand and Myanmar, underscoring solidarity between the two nations. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific, emphasizing “development-ism, not expansionism,” in a subtle reference to regional geopolitical dynamics.
Focus on Trade, Tourism, and Security
The talks also covered enhancing trade, investment, and business exchanges, with a focus on tourism, culture, and education, particularly linking Thailand with India’s northeastern states. Both sides discussed establishing a strategic dialogue between their security agencies to combat transnational crimes like human trafficking, narcotics, and cyber scams. Modi thanked Thailand for its role in repatriating Indian citizens affected by cyber-crime operations along the Thailand-Mymnar border.
Regional Engagement and BIMSTEC Summit
The agreements were signed ahead of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, hosted by Thailand on April 4, 2025, under the theme “BIMSTEC – Prosperous, Resilient, and Open.” The summit, attended by leaders from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar, and Bhutan, endorsed the Bangkok Vision 2020 and an Agreement on Maritime Cooperation, further strengthening regional ties. Modi’s visit to Bangkok, which included a ceremonial guard of honour and a performance of the Thai Ramayana (Ramakien), underscored the cultural bonds uniting the region.
Looking Ahead
The newly signed agreements pave the way for enhanced collaboration in technology, trade, and cultural preservation, aligning with India’s and Thailand’s shared vision for regional prosperity. As Modi concluded his visit, he expressed gratitude for Thailand’s hospitality and looked forward to further strengthening ties during his subsequent visit to Sri Lanka. The strategic partnership is poised to boost economic growth, cultural exchange, and regional stability, reinforcing India-Thailand relations as a comerstone of the Indo-Pacific framework.
For more details on the agreements and their implications, visit www.pmindia.gov.in or follow updates on X at @PMOIndia.