New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Thailand wherein he held talks with his Thai counterpart Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Modi arrived in the country on a two-day visit to attend the 6th BIMSTEC summit. While speaking about the bilateral ties, Modi said that India believes in the policy of “development-ism”, not “expansionism”.
“India and Thailand’s centuries-old relations are connected through our deep cultural and spiritual ties. The spread of Buddhism has connected our people. From Ayutthaya to Nalanda, there has been an exchange of intellectuals. The tales of Ramayana are a part of Thai people’s lives,” ANI quoted PM Modi as saying.
“The influence of Sanskrit and Pali are reflected in language and traditions even today. I am grateful to the Thailand government that during my visit, a commemorative stamp, based on Ramayana mural paintings from 18th century, was issued,” he added.
The PM asserted that Thailand holds special place in India’s ‘Act East’ Policy and Indo-Pacific vision. “India and Thailand support free, open, inclusive, rule-based order; we believe in policy of development-ism, not expansionism,” he said, while highlighting the decision to elevate India-Thailand ties to the level of strategic partnership.
Modi was presented with the Holy Scriptures: “World Ti-pitaka: Sajjhaya Phonetic Edition” by Thai premier Shinawatra. Later in the day, PM Modi will join the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) leaders from Thailand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar and Bhutan to oversee the signing of the Agreement on Maritime Cooperation.
After concluding Thailand’s visit, he will travel to Sri Lanka. This will be his first visit to the island country since the election of its new president.