Answer

The recent visit of Prime Minister Modi and the elevation of India-Thailand relations to a strategic partnership marks a significant shift in India’s Act East policy. This move emphasizes deepening cooperation in security, connectivity, and trade, while enhancing engagement with ASEAN. It reflects India’s growing strategic intent in the Indo-Pacific and reinforces Thailand’s role as a vital partner.

Elevation of India-Thailand Ties to a Strategic Partnership Marks a Significant Shift in India’s Act East Policy

• Enhanced Connectivity Initiatives: India-Thailand’s strategic partnership accelerates projects like the India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway, aimed at seamless overland access to Southeast Asia.
  For example: Around 70% of the project is complete, promoting regional trade, tourism, and people-to-people ties across key ASEAN corridors.
• Maritime Cooperation and Blue Economy: Strengthening maritime security through coordinated naval engagements reflects India’s Indo-Pacific vision.
  For example: The India-Thailand Coordinated Patrol (Indo-Thai CORPAT), held bi-annually, ensures security and surveillance in the Andaman Sea and eastern Indian Ocean.
• Boost to Regional Trade Integration: The strategic upgrade aims to diversify bilateral trade beyond traditional sectors by leveraging FTA frameworks.
  For example: Bilateral trade reached USD 17.7 billion in 2022-23, with renewed efforts to expand investments in digital and green economies.
• Cultural and Buddhist Diplomacy: Cultural ties, rooted in shared Buddhist heritage, are being revitalized through soft diplomacy and exchanges.
  For example: The Festival of India in Thailand and Thai pilgrimages to Bodh Gaya reflect deepening cultural connect and soft power projection.
• Tourism and People-to-People Contact: Visa facilitation and tourism initiatives form a key pillar in bilateral cooperation.
  For example: Thailand’s announcement of an e-tourist visa regime for Indians has enhanced annual tourist inflows, strengthening social and economic bonds.

Strategic Implications of Strategic Partnership 

• Indo-Pacific Strategic Alignment : This partnership aligns both nations within the broader Indo-Pacific framework, promoting free and open maritime space.
  For example: Joint statements affirming ASEAN centrality and support for UNCLOS principles demonstrate shared strategic priorities.
• Defense and Security Collaboration: India and Thailand are expanding military exercises, training, and defense exports.
  For example: Joint military exercises like Maitree improve interoperability and signal regional security cooperation amid evolving challenges.
• Counterterrorism and Intelligence Sharing: Bilateral cooperation includes mechanisms for counterterrorism, cyber security, and transnational crime control.
  For example: MoUs on security cooperation enable real-time data exchange on extremist threats in the region.
• Strategic Access to Southeast Asia: Thailand serves as a logistical bridge for India to extend its influence in ASEAN and beyond.
  For example: Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor offers Indian firms access to supply chains connecting Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.
• Balancing Chinese Influence: A deeper India-Thailand alignment contributes to a multipolar balance in Southeast Asia amid China’s assertiveness.
  For example: Collaborative infrastructure projects provide alternatives to China’s BRI across the Indo-Pacific region.

Regional Implications of Strategic Partnership 

• ASEAN Centrality and Integration: The partnership reinforces India’s support for ASEAN unity and centrality in regional affairs.
  For example: India’s participation in ASEAN-India summits and support for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific reflects this commitment.
• Boost to BIMSTEC Cooperation: Thailand and India play key roles in the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).
• Infrastructure and Supply Chain Resilience: Joint infrastructure efforts strengthen regional supply chains and economic resilience.
  For example: Cooperation in port infrastructure and logistics underlines regional responses to pandemic-era disruptions.
• Tourism and Economic Corridors: Tourism, connectivity, and cross-border corridors promote inclusive regional development.
  For example: The Ayodhya–Ayutthaya spiritual circuit project links heritage sites, boosting tourism and soft power collaboration.
• Disaster Response and HADR: India-Thailand cooperation includes disaster relief and humanitarian assistance.
  For example: Participation in regional HADR exercises like ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus strengthens coordinated emergency response capabilities.

The elevation of India-Thailand ties to a strategic partnership reflects a deliberate shift in India’s regional outreach under the Act East policy. By strengthening strategic, economic, and cultural cooperation, both nations can contribute to a resilient, multipolar Indo-Pacific and advance peace, connectivity, and shared prosperity across Southeast Asia

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