New Delhi, Aug 18 (UNI) External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar offered prayers at a Hindu temple during his visit to Bangkok on Thursday and highlighted the “common religious and cultural traditions” of the two countries.
The minister paid an official visit to Bangkok from August 16 to 18 to co-chair the 9th India-Thailand Joint Commission (JCM) meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, Don Pramudwinai.
“Offered prayers this morning at Devasthana Bangkok. Received blessings from Phra Maharajaguru Vidhi. Emphasizes our shared religious and cultural traditions,” Jaishankar said in a tweet.
“The JCM was held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere. The two ministers discussed broad issues of mutual interest and reviewed progress made in various fields, including political, defense and security, economic and trade, connectivity, cultural, tourism and people-to-people. -connections with people,” the Foreign Office said.
Ministers welcomed the ongoing activities to celebrate the historic occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Thailand.
The two sides also exchanged views on regional and multilateral issues of common interest and reiterated their commitment to further strengthen the multidimensional partnership that exists between the two countries.
The JCM was preceded by the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) held on August 16, during which the two sides held detailed discussions on various areas of bilateral cooperation as well as regional and multilateral issues.
The Minister addressed and interacted with the Indian community in Thailand and spoke about the special occasion of the 75th anniversary of India’s independence which also coincided with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Thailand, the MEA said.
The Minister also called on the Indian community in Thailand to actively contribute to forging strong economic and trade ties as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
He also highlighted government initiatives to facilitate the Indian diaspora and bring it closer to India.
The Minister visited General Prayut Chan-o-Cha, Prime Minister of Thailand, and conveyed to him personal greetings and good wishes from Prime Minister Modi.
The minister also congratulated the Prime Minister of Thailand on the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Thailand and briefed him on the progress of bilateral and multilateral cooperation. They also exchanged views on key regional and global developments.
Dr. Jaishankar and Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, jointly inaugurated the newly constructed Embassy Residence and Residential Complex.
Dr. Jaishankar delivered a public lecture on “The Indian Vision of the Indo-Pacific” at the prestigious Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.
The conference was attended by members of Thailand’s academia, including researchers, scholars, think tanks and students. The lecture was followed by a question-and-answer session.
During the Minister’s visit to Thailand, he signed with the DPM and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand the Agreed Minutes of the JCM, which will guide further bilateral relations.
The two ministers also witnessed the signing of MoUs on cooperation in health and medical research between the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), India, and the Department of Medical Sciences (DMS), in Thailand ; and another Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation and collaboration in broadcasting between Prasar Bharti, India and Thai Public Broadcasting Service of Thailand.
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