Jaishankar shared pictures of this meeting in a post on X | (Photo: PTI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday held talks with his Thai counterpart Maris Sangiampongsa. During the talks, the two sides discussed their “intensifying engagement” in a wide range of areas, including politics, defence and security, trade and investment, and tourism.
The two leaders also exchanged views on regional issues, India-ASEAN, Indo-Pacific and cooperation within the UN.
The bilateral talks between the two leaders came a day after Jaishankar hosted his counterparts from the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) member states during a two-day retreat that began in the national capital on Thursday.
The foreign minister held separate meetings with his counterparts from Bangladesh and Bhutan on Thursday, focusing on ways to strengthen bilateral ties in various areas.
On Friday he spoke with Thai Foreign Minister Sangiampongsa.
Jaishankar shared photos of this meeting in a post on X.
“Delighted to hold talks with Foreign Minister of Thailand @AmbPoohMaris. As a maritime neighbour, we have civilisational ties and shared interests. Good discussion on our deepening engagement across politics, defence and security, trade and investment, physical and financial connectivity, tourism and people-to-people domains. Also exchanged views on regional affairs, India-ASEAN, Indo-Pacific and UN cooperation. India-Thailand,” he wrote on the social media platform.
The first day of the retreat covered topics such as connectivity, trade and business cooperation, health and space cooperation, digital public infrastructure and capacity building and societal exchanges.
BIMSTEC unites seven countries from South Asia and Southeast Asia for multifaceted cooperation.
In addition to India, BIMSTEC includes Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan.
The purpose of the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is to exchange ideas openly, honestly and fruitfully.
Thailand currently chairs BIMSTEC and will host the grouping’s annual summit later this year.
“We are confident that today’s deliberations will contribute to solid outcomes and practical collaborations at the upcoming BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand,” Jaishankar had posted on X at the end of the first day’s discussions.
BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers last met in a similar format in Bangkok in July last year.
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First print: Jul 12, 2024 | 8:34 PM IST