India – Thailand bilateral relations

Abhisit Vejjajiva, the Prime Minister of Thailand, paid a State visit to India during 4–5 April 2011 at the invitation of Dr Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India. Both leaders agreed to increase the cultural interaction, connectivity and enhancement of trade and economy through the bilateral and regional frameworks viz ASEAN-India, BIMSTEC and MGC. It was also decided to increase the trade between the two countries from its 2010 figure of $6.7 billion to its double in 2014.

PM Yingluck Shinawatra paid a State visit in Jan 2012 as a chief guest of Indian republic day. As the result of this visit, there were 6 bilateral agreements signed, including a treaty of transfer of a sentenced person.

In a major boost to bilateral security cooperation, India and Thailand in 2013 signed an Extradition Treaty. The treaty provides the legal framework for seeking extradition of fugitive offenders, including those involved in terrorism, transnational crimes and economic offences among others. This will help both the countries in expediting extradition of fugitives. The treaty said, it would further strengthen the relationship between two law enforcement agencies by providing a firm legal basis for their bilateral cooperation.

The same year an MoU was signed between the Financial Intelligence Unit of India and the Anti Money Laundering Organisation of Thailand on cooperation in the exchange of intelligence related to money laundering and terrorism financing was also signed. The MoU will facilitate cooperation in the investigation of persons suspected of money laundering and criminal activity related to money laundering and terrorism financing. The MoU seeks to assemble, develop, analyse and exchange information on such issues.

In a joint statement issued after delegation level talks, the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh said that signing the extradition treaty and Memorandum on Cooperation in anti money laundering sends a major signal of the shared commitment of the two countries to combat terrorism, organised crime, drug trafficking and counterfeiting. Manmohan Singh said that the two countries also agreed to continue strengthening defence relations including exercises and joint patrolling.

The Thai Prime Minister welcomed the signing of the extradition treaty. Both the countries agreed to pursue Infrastructure development corridors on the lines of India-Myanmar-Thailand highway project. In addition, New Delhi and Bangkok agreed to take up an Indo-Thai exchange programme to enhance economic, scientific, educational, technical and cultural ties. As both leaders described, today’s meaningful and productive discussions have underlined the need for speedy clearance the comprehensive and balanced Free Trade Agreement between the two countries and greater collaboration in areas like defence, security, education, space and people to people contacts.

Both countries also agreed to pursue defence industry collaboration in areas of mutual interest. The leaders also welcomed the deepening of cooperation through the Joint Working Group on Security Cooperation. In total, seven pacts were signed between the two countries.

Overall the security relationship is relatively undeveloped. India has provided assistance to Thais to combat Islamic separatists in Southern Thailand in return for Thai authorities taking action against Indian separatists using Thailand as a supply route for arms originating in Cambodia. Since 2006, the Indian and Thai navies have also conducted symbolic “coordinated patrols” in the Andaman Sea. A MoU on Defence Cooperation was signed in January 2012 and an annual Defence Dialogue has been established. However, closer security cooperation may be limited by Thailand’s political instability and its limited naval capabilities.