The India ASEAN Trade council meeting was held in Bangkok recently with the presence of Indian and Thai businessmen signing MOUs in areas of Agriculture, Education and Pharmaceuticals.
The meeting was chaired by the former Minister of Education in Thailand and Dr Senorita from the Latin American Caribbean Trade Council. Both sides discussed on the various options available to support the people to people relations in context with promoting the relations between the two countries.
Thailand plays an important role in various regional and sub-regional groupings. It is, therefore, an important partner for India in the India-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the East Asia Summit (EAS), the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), the Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC), Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS). Thailand took over the BIMSTEC Chairmanship from Sri Lanka in March 2022 for a period of 2 years.
Thailand views India as the gateway to South Asia and beyond. As a result of the reduced tariff rates and new initiatives adopted by both the countries, trade between two countries increased manifold in recent years. Major Indian companies in Thailand includes the Tata group – Tata Steel Thailand, and Tata Consultancy Services, Aditya Birla Group, Tech Mahindra, Kirloskar Brothers Ltd., L&T, Bajaj Auto, NRB Bearing, Ranbaxy, Camper Pharmaceuticals Coforge Ltd, Usha Siam Steel Industries PLC, KEC International, Kalpataru Power Transmission Ltd., Desmond International, Apollo Tyres, Rajasthan Thai Wire, Dee Piping Systems, DT Wiring Systems, Growel Chemical, Monte Big Drum, Kings Food & Beverage, Triveni Turbines DMCC, SRF Industries Thailand Ltd, Polyplex (Thailand). Public Co. Ltd, Atlantic Food Co. Ltd. and others.
Dr Senorita congratulated the newly appointed Honorary Trade Commissioner who would engage relations for more cooperation.
