'India's Northeast at the heart of Bimstec': PM Modi emplanes for Thailand

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday departed for Thailand where he will be attending the 6th edition of the BIMSTEC Summit, scheduled for April 4. In his departing statement, the prime minister mentioned that India’s North Eastern region “lies at the heart of BIMSTEC.” This will be prime minister’s official visit to Thailand which came on the invitation of his Thai counterpart Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

“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. I look forward to meeting the leaders of the BIMSTEC countries and engaging productively to further strengthen our collaboration with the interest of our people in mind,” the prime minister said in his departing statement.

Over the next three days, I will be visiting Thailand and Sri Lanka to take part in various programmes aimed at boosting India's cooperation with these nations and the BIMSTEC countries.

In Bangkok later today, I will be meeting Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 3, 2025

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“During my official visit, I will have the opportunity to engage with Prime Minister Shinawatra and the Thai leadership, with a common desire to elevate our age-old historical ties, which are based on the strong foundations of shared culture, philosophy, and spiritual thought,” he added.

From Thailand to Sri Lanka

Following his Thailand visit, the Prime Minister will head to Sri Lanka from 04-06 April. The trip is coming just months after Sri Lankan President Disanayaka’s trip to India last December. “We will have the opportunity to review progress made on the joint vision of ‘Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future’ and provide further guidance to realise our shared objectives,” the prime minister said.

“I am confident that these visits will build on the foundations of the past and contribute to strengthening our close relationships for the benefit of our people and the wider region,” he concluded.

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There is still a possibility that PM Modi will meet Bangladesh’s Interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. This is the first time the two leaders would come face to face after violent protests led to the overthrow of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government. The media outlet cited officials in New Delhi and Dhaka reported that the Bangladeshi side had requested for the meeting.

“I can tell you that the meeting will take place,” an official in Dhaka told United News of Bangladesh (UNB). However, there has been no confirmation of the meeting from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.

With inputs from agencies.