Bangkok: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Bangkok on April 3 to a warm reception from the Indian diaspora, who greeted him with enthusiastic chants of "Modi Modi" and "Vande Mataram". PM Modi is in Thailand to attend the 6th BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Summit, where he will engage with regional leaders on April 4 to discuss key areas of cooperation.
Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand Suriya Jungrungreangkit, along with several other top officials, welcomed PM Modi at the airport. Following his arrival, the Prime Minister was scheduled to interact with members of the Indian diaspora, underscoring the deep cultural and economic ties between India and Thailand. He was also set to hold bilateral talks with the Thai leadership to strengthen India-Thailand relations.
Earlier, in his departure statement, PM Modi said, "Over the past decade, BIMSTEC has emerged as a significant forum for promoting regional development, connectivity, and economic progress in the Bay of Bengal region. With its geographical location, India's North Eastern region lies at the heart of BIMSTEC".
The Prime Minister expressed his enthusiasm for engaging with BIMSTEC leaders, stating, "I look forward to meeting the leaders of the BIMSTEC countries and engaging productively to further strengthen our collaboration with the interests of our people in mind." As part of his two-nation tour, PM Modi will travel to Sri Lanka next.
India plays a pivotal role in BIMSTEC, acting as a key driver of regional integration and cooperation. PM Modi's presence at the summit is expected to further elevate India's leadership within the framework, reinforcing its commitment to enhancing collaboration and progress.
BIMSTEC is a regional grouping comprising seven member states in the Bay of Bengal region -- five from South Asia (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka) and two from Southeast Asia (Myanmar and Thailand).
The grouping serves as a crucial bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia, with India being its largest and most influential member, shaping its agenda and promoting collaboration across various sectors.
