Modi arrived in Thailand earlier that day for a two-day visit to attend the 6th BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) summit. Upon arrival, he was greeted with a Guard of Honour, a formal military ceremony, at the Government House in Bangkok. He also watched a performance of Ramakien, the Thai version of the Ramayana, a traditional epic story.
In a post on X, Modi described it as “a truly enriching experience that beautifully showcased the shared cultural and civilisational ties between India and Thailand.” The Prime Minister’s Office noted that this event reflected the strong historical and cultural links between the two countries. Modi further wrote, “The Ramayana truly continues to connect hearts and traditions across so many parts of Asia.”
A very special gesture!
I am grateful to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for giving me a copy of the Tipitaka in Pali. Pali is indeed a beautiful language, carrying within it the essence of Lord Buddha’s teachings. As you are all aware, our Government had conferred the… pic.twitter.com/FDTx4yfmDd
– Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 3, 2025
At a joint press conference after the talks, Modi outlined their shared views, stating, “In the Indo-Pacific, we both support a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based order. We believe in the policy of vikaasvaad, not vistaarvaad (development-ism, not expansionism).” This means both nations prioritise growth and cooperation over territorial expansion.He also confirmed India’s backing for the unity and central role of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) in regional affairs. Modi highlighted Thailand’s importance in India’s ‘Act East’ Policy, which aims to strengthen ties with Southeast Asia, and its broader Indo-Pacific goals. The leaders also talked about setting up a ‘Strategic Dialogue’ between their security agencies to deepen coordination.
The visit included cultural gestures. Modi thanked the Thai government for releasing a special postage stamp featuring 18th-century Ramayana mural paintings to mark his visit. Shinawatra gifted him the Tripitaka, a collection of Buddhist scriptures, which he accepted respectfully, saying, “On behalf of the Buddha-land India, I accepted it with folded hands.”
He spoke about the long-standing connection between India and Thailand, noting, “The spread of Buddhism has connected our people at every level,” and “The tale of the Ramayana is deeply woven into Thai folk life.” Modi also pointed out historical exchanges, like scholars travelling between Thailand’s Ayutthaya and India’s Nalanda, and the influence of Sanskrit and Pali languages on Thai culture today.
Later that day, Modi was set to join leaders from BIMSTEC countries—Thailand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar, and Bhutan—to witness the signing of an Agreement on Maritime Cooperation, aimed at improving collaboration in the Bay of Bengal region.
At the summit, he met Nepal’s Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, and Myanmar’s military leader Min Aung Hlaing, among others. Before leaving India, Modi had said in a statement that BIMSTEC is “a significant forum for promoting regional development, connectivity, and economic progress in the Bay of Bengal region over the past decade.”
After wrapping up his visit to Thailand, Modi planned to travel to Sri Lanka, marking his first trip there since the country elected its new president. He also offered condolences for lives lost in a recent earthquake in Thailand on 28 March 2025, saying, “We pray for the speedy recovery of those who were injured.”
