Thai Foreign Minister Concludes 4‑Day India visit, Sets Sights on $30 Billion Trade Goal as Bilateral Ties Strengthen

PARTHA ROY, KOLKATA: Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow concluded a four‑day working visit to India on Tuesday, reinforcing the strategic partnership that was elevated during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s April 2025 trip to Bangkok for the BIMSTEC Summit. He arrived in New Delhi on 29 November with his wife, Waraporn Phuangketkeow, and spent the next three days on a packed programme aimed at deepening bilateral ties.

On  December 1, Phuangketkeow met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at Hyderabad House . Their talks covered defence cooperation, joint crackdowns on cross‑border cyber‑fraud, and India’s backing for Thailand’s full membership in BRICS during India’s 2026 chairmanship. A parallel session with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval focused on security alignments, especially maritime security and the fight against online scams. Earlier in the visit, introductory programmes and think‑tank dialogues examined regional challenges and Thailand’s ASEAN leadership.

The minister also highlighted Thailand’s upcoming Bangkok Conference on Online Scams (17‑18 December) and extended an invitation to India to participate, aiming to strengthen enforcement cooperation.

On the economic front, Thailand‑India trade surged 8.8 % to US $17.5 billion in 2024, making India Thailand’s 11th‑largest trading partner and the top South‑Asian one. Phuangketkeow described India as an “important economic powerhouse” and said the $30 billion trade target by 2030 is “achievable” thanks to complementary strengths in innovation, technology and manufacturing. Discussions also pushed for India’s entry into the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to turbo‑charge supply chains in electronics, automobiles and agro‑products.

Tourism has rebounded to pre‑COVID levels, opening opportunities in digital‑services trade. Investment prospects are bright in renewables, logistics, visa easements and joint ventures, setting the stage for the 80th diplomatic anniversary in 2027. By confronting cyber risks head‑on, the visit seeks to secure e‑commerce growth, potentially unlocking billions in trade and thousands of jobs.