PM Modi in Bangkok for 6th BIMSTEC Summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Bangkok for the 6th BIMSTEC Summit. This marks his third visit to Thailand as Prime Minister. He was warmly welcomed by the Indian diaspora, with people waving the tricolor and cheering in support. His visit comes at a crucial time as India looks to strengthen its regional influence.
BIMSTEC & India-Thailand Relations
BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) was established in 1997 to enhance regional trade, security, and connectivity among its seven member nations—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. India has played a leading role in BIMSTEC, positioning it as a key platform for economic and strategic cooperation, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.India and Thailand share deep-rooted cultural and economic ties, with an estimated 250,000-strong Indian diaspora playing a crucial role in trade and bilateral relations. Modi’s visit aims to further strengthen diplomatic, economic, and strategic partnerships between the two nations while expanding cooperation in key sectors.
Summit Focus & Next Steps
The 6th BIMSTEC Summit on April 4th will focus on trade, security, infrastructure development, and digital connectivity. India is expected to advocate for deeper regional collaboration on counterterrorism, maritime security, and energy cooperation. Strengthening economic ties and enhancing connectivity within the Indo-Pacific region will also be key discussion points as India seeks to boost its leadership role.Following his engagements in Thailand, PM Modi will travel to Sri Lanka from April 4th to 6th. This will be his first visit to the island nation since 2019. The discussions at the summit are aimed to be focusing on the economic assistance, maritime security, and trade relations.
