Both countries agree to work further towards deepening and strengthening of bilateral relations

India and Thailand on Thursday held their sixth round of Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi and agreed to improve connectivity including early operationalisation of India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and greater port linkages.

During the FOC, both sides reviewed the entire the entire gamut of bilateral relations, including political, defence and security. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, these consultations took place after a gap of 3 years, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

According to the MEA, both sides also reviewed economic and commercial, cultural, science & technology, tourism, people-to-people ties, post COVID-19 economic recovery, vaccine cooperation and other issues of mutual interest.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with each other in these areas, the Ministry said.

The delegations exchanged views on regional and multilateral issues, including cooperation at the United Nations and other international organisations.

The consultations were co-chaired by Saurabh Kumar, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, and Thani Thongphakdi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, the Ministry said.

Secretary (East) congratulated Thailand on the assumption of BIMSTEC Chairmanship for 2022-23 and assured of India’s full support and cooperation.

As this year marks the 75th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Thailand, the two sides agreed to celebrate this landmark occasion in a befitting manner.

The Thai delegation also called on Minister of State for External Affairs Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, the MEA said.