8th Joint Commission Meeting between India and Thailand
October 10, 2019
- The 8th Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) between India and Thailand was held on 10 October 2019, New Delhi. The Indian side was led by Dr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister and the Thai side was led by H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign
Affairs. The JCM was preceded by Senior Officials’ Meeting held on 9 October 2019.
- The Ministers had a restricted bilateral meeting, which was followed by delegation level talks. During the meetings both sides reviewed the progress made in all areas of bilateral relationship, including political, defence and security, economic and commercial,
connectivity, cultural, tourism and people-to-people ties. Both sides noted that India and Thailand are close maritime neighbours having historical and cultural linkages. In the contemporary context, India’s ‘Act East’ policy is complimented by Thailand’s
‘Look West’ policy.
- During the meeting both sides noted that bilateral trade has grown by 20% last year and the investment is also growing. Both sides decided to hold the next meeting of Joint Trade Committee to discuss ways and means to enhance trade and investment. The Ministers
also discussed ways to enhance connectivity between the two countries including in the areas of physical and digital connectivity. They also identified areas for cooperation in the field of agriculture, science & technology, space, human resource development,
capacity building, information technology etc. The Ministries exchanged views on regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest, including cooperation in ASEAN, IORA, BIMSTEC, MGC, UN and other sub-regional and international organizations.
- The understandings and decisions of the JCM were concluded in the form of Agreed Minutes of the Joint Commission, which were signed by the two Ministers. Both Ministers also witnessed the signing of MOU between the Foreign Service Institute(FSI), Ministry
of External Affairs, India and Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs (DVIFA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thailand.
- Thailand is the Chairman of ASEAN for 2019 and also country Coordinator for India-ASEAN Strategic Partnership for 2018-21.
New Delhi
October 10, 2019