PM Modi’s Visit to Thailand: Strengthening Diplomatic and Economic Ties
Introduction
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Thailand from November 2-4, 2019 was an important milestone in India’s diplomatic engagement with Southeast Asia. The visit was under India’s strategic Act East policy, aimed at furthering economic, political and cultural ties with the ASEAN region. As a part of his visit, PM Modi attended the 16th India-ASEAN Summit, the 14th East Asia Summit and the 3rd Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Summit, besides participating in bilateral meetings and cultural activities.
In this article, the author analyses his visit in detail, highlighting the significance, key achievements and long-term outcomes of this visit for India-Thailand relations as well as the entire Indo-Pacific region.
Highlights of the visit
1. 16th India-ASEAN Summit
On November 3, 2019, Prime Minister Modi attended the 16th India-ASEAN Summit in Bangkok, where he reiterated the important role of ASEAN in India’s Act East policy. He emphasised the need to enhance connectivity—physical, maritime, air and digital connectivity—between India and ASEAN countries.
Key announcements:
$1 Billion Line of Credit: Prime Minister Modi announced a $1 billion line of credit to finance connectivity projects between India and ASEAN countries.
Promoting Trade and Economic Cooperation: The talks focused on renegotiating the India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement to make trade relations balanced and mutually beneficial.
Digital Connectivity and Startup Focus: India introduced new ideas for cooperation in digital infrastructure and frontier technologies such as AI, robotics and blockchain.
2. Participation in the 14th East Asia Summit
Prime Minister Mdi attended the ASEAN Summit, following which he was present at the 14th East Asia Summit (EAS), where he reiterated India's commitment to an open, inclusive and free Indo-Pacific region.
Highlights:
Maritime Security and Blue Economy: Prime Minister Modi emphasized the importance of enhancing maritime security cooperation to achieve peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
Combating terrorism and cyber threats: He urged for enhanced international cooperation to combat terrorism, extremism and cyber threats.
Disaster Resilience and Climate Change: India advocated for enhanced cooperation in disaster management and climate resilience initiatives.
3. Attendance at the 3rd RCEP Summit
Prime Minister Modi represented India at the 3rd Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Summit, during which India did not sign the RCEP trade deal fearing imbalanced trade and protection of local industries. This action by India was aimed at protecting farmers, MSMEs and key industrial sectors from the flood of Chinese products.
Bilateral meetings with regional leaders
Apart from attending multilateral meetings, PM Modi held bilateral meetings with important regional leaders:
India-Thailand relations
PM Modi met Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha during which the two leaders took stock of developments in defence, trade and connectivity. The key agreements were:
Enhancing defence cooperation: Joint military exercises and enhancing defence industrial cooperation.
Stengthening connectivity: Construction of India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and port-to-port connectivity between Ranong Port, Thailand and Indian ports (Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Kolkata).
Cultural cooperation: Inauguration of Thai translation of ancient Tamil literary epic Thirukkural.
India-Indonesia Relations
PM Modi met Indonesian President Joko Widodo and discussed:
Maritime security and Indo-Pacific cooperation
Growing bilateral trade
Counter-terrorism and extremism
India-Myanmar Relations
PM Mod spoke to Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and discussed:
Cross-border infrastructure projects
Strengthening defence and security ties
Economic and cultural exchanges
Cultual and business engagement
1. 'Sawasdee PM Modi' community event
PM Modi addressed a large gathering of Indian diaspora in Bangkok, where he:
Emphasised India's cultural ties with Thailand dating back to ancient times.
Released commemorative coins to mark the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.
Announced plans to enhance connectivity between Northeast India and Thailand.
2. Aditya Birla Group Golden Jubilee Celebrations
PM Modi was present at the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Aditya Birla Group in Thailand. He emphasised the contribution of Indian firms in enhancing India's global economic presence and lauded India's Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) programme, which has saved $20 billion through increased efficiency.
1. Strengthening India’s Act East Policy
Greater focus on maritime security, economic partnerships and digital infrastructure.
Enhancing bilateral engagements with Thailand, Indonesia and Myanmar.
2. Advancing Indo-Pacific cooperation
India reaffirmed its support for ASEAN’s centrality in the Indo-Pacific.
Promoting a rules-based order in maritime areas.
3. Balancing economic interests
India’s decision to keep itself out of RCEP was a resounding message about protecting local industries and ethical trade practices.
Emphasis on bilateral and multilateral trade modalities outside RCEP.
Conclusion
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Thailand in November 2019 was a good diplomatic exercise, which included multilateral engagements, strategic bilateral discussions and deepening cultural ties. The visit reinforced India’s commitment to ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific region, ensuring that India will remain a key player in shaping regional geopolitics and economic architecture.
As India strengthens its regional ties, Thailand remains a key partner in India’s Act East policy towards a more secure, prosperous and integrated Asia-Pacific region.
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