 "PM Modi in Thailand: India’s cultural diplomacy sets stage for Bimstec summit")
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Bangkok on Thursday for a two-day visit to attend the sixth Bimstec (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Summit. Hours after arrival, PM Modi held bilateral meeting with his Thai counterpart Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Bangkok, discussing a wide range of issues of bilateral cooperation.
His arrival was marked by a warm reception from Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Suriya Jungrungreangkit. The visit underscores India’s commitment to fostering regional cooperation and showcasing its rich cultural heritage on the global stage.
Upon landing at Don Mueang Airport, PM Modi was greeted with vibrant cultural displays by the Indian diaspora. Members of the Sikh community performed Bhangra, while other groups showcased India’s diverse traditions. Highlights included Garba from Gujarat, Jain Navkar mantras, and a memento gifted by the Sikh community symbolising the Golden Temple.
The Iskcon community presented the Bhagavad Gita, and a mesmerising dance performance based on Thailand’s national epic, Ramakien, captivated attendees. Ramakien, inspired by India’s Ramayana, reflects the shared cultural ties between the two nations.
Bimstec Summit: Strengthening regional bonds
The Bimstec Summit, themed “Prosperous, Resilient, and Open,” aims to enhance collaboration among member states—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
PM Modi’s extensive discussions with Thai PM Shinawatra and the delegation-level talks between the two countries covered issues of maritime cooperation and connectivity in the Bay of Bengal region.
On regional cooperation, key deliverables for the Bimstec Summit include Bangkok Vision 2030 and agreements on institutional capacity-building measures.
PM Modi sends a message
In his departure statement, PM Modi emphasised Bimstec’s significance in promoting regional development and connectivity over the past decade. With a combined population of 1.7 billion and a GDP of $4.7 trillion, Bimstec represents a vital platform for fostering economic progress and security in South and Southeast Asia.
PM Modi also sent a veiled message to Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, who is leading the transition government following the toppling of the government of Sheikh Hasina in August 2024 only seven months after she won the parliamentary election. Yunus had earlier commented that Bangladesh was the gateway to the Bay of Bengal, saying that India’s Northeast was landlocked.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsIn his departure statement, PM Modi said India’s Northeast was “at the heart of the Bimstec” , dismissing Yunus’s assertion amid Bangladesh’s recent moves to tilt the regional balance by inviting China to be a player in the Indian subcontinent.
Bridging civilisations through cultural diplomacy
PM Modi’s visit to Thailand is part of his broader strategy to showcase India’s cultural heritage globally. Wherever he travels, Indian traditions take centre stage. During his March 2025 visit to Mauritius, he offered holy water from Triveni Sangam at Ganga Talao—a gesture symbolising spiritual unity between India and Mauritius. In Kuwait last year, he met nationals renowned for translating Mahabharata and Ramayana into Arabic.
Similar cultural exchanges have marked his visits to Brazil, Guyana, Russia, Laos, and Italy. In Brazil, PM Modi witnessed Ramayana enactments in Rio de Janeiro alongside Vedic chants. In Guyana, children performed soulful Ram Bhajans during his welcome.
Russian nationals sang Krishna Bhajans in Kazan during his October 2024 visit. Laos welcomed him with Gayatri Mantra chants and a Lao Ramayana performance showcasing local adaptations of Indian epics.
Strengthening India-Thailand relations
India and Thailand share deep civilisational bonds rooted in linguistic, cultural, and religious ties. This relationship has been further cemented through initiatives like the recent exposition of Lord Buddha’s relics across five Thai cities — a testament to their shared Buddhist heritage.
Besides attending the Bimstec Summit, PM Modi will hold bilateral talks with his counterpart Shinawatra during his Thailand visit. As maritime neighbours and valuable partners under India’s Act East policy, Thailand plays a crucial role in India’s Indo-Pacific vision. PM Modi’s second visit to Thailand builds on positive bilateral momentum established during his 2019 Asean Summit participation.
PM Modi’s Thailand visit aims to blend cultural diplomacy with regional cooperation against the backdrop of a fast-changing global order, principally over US President Donald Trump’s policy decisions since late January. By showcasing India’s traditions at international forums such as Bimstec, PM Modi continues to strengthen ties with global partners while celebrating India’s rich heritage on the world stage.
PM Modi presented with “The World Tipitaka"
In a significant moment of cultural and spiritual diplomacy, PM Modi was presented with “The World Tipitaka: Sajjhaya Phonetic Edition” by the Thai prime minister.
The Tipitaka (in Pali) or Tripitaka (in Sanskrit) is a revered compilation of Lord Buddha’s teachings, consisting of 108 volumes and regarded as the principal Buddhist scripture.
The edition presented to PM Modi is a meticulously crafted version written in Pali and Thai scripts, ensuring the accurate pronunciation of over nine million syllables.
This special edition was published in 2016 as part of the World Tipitaka Project by the Thai government to commemorate the 70-year reign of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) and Queen Sirikit.
Several MoUs signed
The two leaders agreed to elevate the bilateral ties to a strategic partnership. India and Thailand also exchanged memorandums across a range of sectors.
The MoUs include Joint Declaration on the Establishment of India-Thailand Strategic Partnership.
An MoU was exchanged between the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society of Thailand and India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology on Cooperation in the fields of Digital Technologies, sources said.
Sagarmala Division of India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Culture, Thailand exchanged MoU for development of National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat.
A MOU was signed between National Small Corporation Ltd. (NSIC) and Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP) of Thailand on co-operation in the field of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDONER) and Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs exchanged a MoU.
A MoU was also exchanged between North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation Ltd. (NEHHDC) and Thailand’s Creative Economy Agency (CEA).
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