• Home
  • About RSIS
    • Introduction
    • Building the Foundations
    • Welcome Message
    • Board of Governors
    • Staff Profiles
      • Executive Deputy Chairman’s Office
      • Dean’s Office
      • Management
      • Distinguished Fellows
      • Faculty and Research
      • Associate Research Fellows, Senior Analysts and Research Analysts
      • Visiting Fellows
      • Adjunct Fellows
      • Administrative Staff
    • Honours and Awards for RSIS Staff and Students
    • RSIS Endowment Fund
    • Endowed Professorships
    • Career Opportunities
    • Getting to RSIS
  • Research
    • Research Centres
      • Centre for Multilateralism Studies (CMS)
      • Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies (NTS Centre)
      • Centre of Excellence for National Security (CENS)
      • Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (IDSS)
      • International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR)
    • Research Programmes
      • National Security Studies Programme (NSSP)
      • Studies in Inter-Religious Relations in Plural Societies (SRP) Programme
    • Future Issues and Technology Cluster
    • [email protected] Newsletter
    • Other Research
      • Science and Technology Studies Programme (STSP) (2017-2020)
  • Graduate Education
    • Graduate Programmes Office
    • Overview
    • MSc (Asian Studies)
    • MSc (International Political Economy)
    • MSc (International Relations)
    • MSc (Strategic Studies)
    • NTU-Warwick Double Masters Programme
    • PhD Programme
    • Exchange Partners and Programmes
    • How to Apply
    • Financial Assistance
    • Meet the Admissions Team: Information Sessions and other events
    • RSIS Alumni
  • Alumni & Networks
    • Alumni
    • Asia-Pacific Programme for Senior Military Officers (APPSMO)
    • Asia-Pacific Programme for Senior National Security Officers (APPSNO)
    • International Strategy Forum-Asia (ISF-Asia)
    • SRP Executive Programme
    • Terrorism Analyst Training Course (TATC)
  • Publications
    • RSIS Publications
      • Annual Reviews
      • Books
      • Bulletins and Newsletters
      • Commentaries
      • Counter Terrorist Trends and Analyses
      • Commemorative / Event Reports
      • IDSS Paper
      • Interreligious Relations
      • Monographs
      • NTS Insight
      • Policy Reports
      • Working Papers
      • RSIS Publications for the Year
    • Glossary of Abbreviations
    • External Publications
      • Authored Books
      • Journal Articles
      • Edited Books
      • Chapters in Edited Books
      • Policy Reports
      • Working Papers
      • Op-Eds
      • External Publications for the Year
    • Policy-relevant Articles Given RSIS Award
  • Media
    • Great Powers
    • Sustainable Security
    • Other Resource Pages
    • Media Highlights
    • News Releases
    • Speeches
    • Vidcast Channel
    • Audio/Video Forums
  • Events
  • Giving
  • Contact Us
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
RSISVideoCast RSISVideoCast rsis.sg
Linkedin
instagram instagram rsis.sg
RSS
  • Home
  • About RSIS
      • Introduction
      • Building the Foundations
      • Welcome Message
      • Board of Governors
      • Staff Profiles
        • Executive Deputy Chairman’s Office
        • Dean’s Office
        • Management
        • Distinguished Fellows
        • Faculty and Research
        • Associate Research Fellows, Senior Analysts and Research Analysts
        • Visiting Fellows
        • Adjunct Fellows
        • Administrative Staff
      • Honours and Awards for RSIS Staff and Students
      • RSIS Endowment Fund
      • Endowed Professorships
      • Career Opportunities
      • Getting to RSIS
  • Research
      • Research Centres
        • Centre for Multilateralism Studies (CMS)
        • Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies (NTS Centre)
        • Centre of Excellence for National Security (CENS)
        • Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (IDSS)
        • International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR)
      • Research Programmes
        • National Security Studies Programme (NSSP)
        • Studies in Inter-Religious Relations in Plural Societies (SRP) Programme
      • Future Issues and Technology Cluster
      • [email protected] Newsletter
      • Other Research
        • Science and Technology Studies Programme (STSP) (2017-2020)
  • Graduate Education
      • Graduate Programmes Office
      • Overview
      • MSc (Asian Studies)
      • MSc (International Political Economy)
      • MSc (International Relations)
      • MSc (Strategic Studies)
      • NTU-Warwick Double Masters Programme
      • PhD Programme
      • Exchange Partners and Programmes
      • How to Apply
      • Financial Assistance
      • Meet the Admissions Team: Information Sessions and other events
      • RSIS Alumni
  • Alumni & Networks
      • Alumni
      • Asia-Pacific Programme for Senior Military Officers (APPSMO)
      • Asia-Pacific Programme for Senior National Security Officers (APPSNO)
      • International Strategy Forum-Asia (ISF-Asia)
      • SRP Executive Programme
      • Terrorism Analyst Training Course (TATC)
  • Publications
      • RSIS Publications
        • Annual Reviews
        • Books
        • Bulletins and Newsletters
        • Commentaries
        • Counter Terrorist Trends and Analyses
        • Commemorative / Event Reports
        • IDSS Paper
        • Interreligious Relations
        • Monographs
        • NTS Insight
        • Policy Reports
        • Working Papers
        • RSIS Publications for the Year
      • Glossary of Abbreviations
      • External Publications
        • Authored Books
        • Journal Articles
        • Edited Books
        • Chapters in Edited Books
        • Policy Reports
        • Working Papers
        • Op-Eds
        • External Publications for the Year
      • Policy-relevant Articles Given RSIS Award
  • Media
      • Great Powers
      • Sustainable Security
      • Other Resource Pages
      • Media Highlights
      • News Releases
      • Speeches
      • Vidcast Channel
      • Audio/Video Forums
  • Events
  • Giving
  • Contact Us
  • instagram instagram rsis.sg
Connect

Getting to RSIS

Map

Address

Nanyang Technological University
Block S4, Level B3,
50 Nanyang Avenue,
Singapore 639798

View location on Google maps Click here for directions to RSIS

Get in Touch

    Connect with Us

      rsis.ntu
      rsis_ntu
      rsisntu
    RSISVideoCast RSISVideoCast rsisvideocast
      school/rsis-ntu
    instagram instagram rsis.sg
      RSS
    Subscribe to RSIS Publications
    Subscribe to RSIS Events

    RSIS Intranet

    S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies Think Tank and Graduate School Ponder The Improbable Since 1966
    Nanyang Technological University Nanyang Technological University

    Skip to content

     
    • RSIS
    • Publication
    • RSIS Publications
    • CO12022 | India-Thai Relations: Look East, Look West
    • Annual Reviews
    • Books
    • Bulletins and Newsletters
    • Commentaries
    • Counter Terrorist Trends and Analyses
    • Commemorative / Event Reports
    • IDSS Paper
    • Interreligious Relations
    • Monographs
    • NTS Insight
    • Policy Reports
    • Working Papers
    • RSIS Publications for the Year

    CO12022 | India-Thai Relations: Look East, Look West
    Rahul Mishra, Sana Hashmi

    07 February 2012

    download pdf
    RSIS Commentary is a platform to provide timely and, where appropriate, policy-relevant commentary and analysis of topical and contemporary issues. The authors’ views are their own and do not represent the official position of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), NTU. These commentaries may be reproduced with prior permission from RSIS and due credit to the author(s) and RSIS. Please email to Editor RSIS Commentary at [email protected].

    Synopsis

    India marked two decades of its Look East Policy by inviting Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra as the chief guest at this Year’s Republic Day celebrations. While India is keen to widen and deepen its strategic footprint in East Asia, Thailand regards India as its gateway to South Asia.

    Commentary

    THAI PRIME Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was the Guest of Honour at India’s 63rd Republic Day celebrations on 26 January 2012. The visit marked the completion of 65 years of India-Thai relations. Significantly she is the third leader from the East Asian region consecutively to be the chief guest at India’s Republic Day parade after Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and South Korean President Lee Myung- bak.

    The visit also marked 20 years of the Thai dimension of India’s Look East policy, which was initiated by Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao during his trip to Thailand in 1993. For its part, Thailand regards India as a traditional partner with cultural, linguistic and religious bonds. The Thai government reciprocated India’s eastward-looking policy with its own Look West policy in 1996, signing a trade pact with India under an Early Harvest Scheme in 2004.

    Strategic cooperation

    Thailand views India as the gateway to South Asia and beyond. Bilateral trade has increased six-fold since 2000 and crossed the US$6 billion mark in 2010. The two countries aim to reach the $14 billion level by 2014. PM Yingluck, who brought along a 100-strong delegation, discussed greater cooperation with her Indian counterpart, including on the Chennai-Dawei Corridor, energy and a free trade area.

    Besides economic ties, Thailand and India share a common prism on strategic matters such as defence and maritime security across the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea, manifested through cooperation at various levels. They conduct joint maritime patrol exercises, disaster management operations, and regular exchange of officials for defence training purposes. The Thai and Indian navies work together on naval patrols and transnational crime prevention exercises. The two countries signed a defence cooperation agreement during Yingluck’s visit, which will further increase defence ties.

    The two countries also share several regional platforms, such as the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM+), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS). India is also an integral member of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) initiated by Thailand. Likewise, Thailand is a core member of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) and the Mekong Ganga Project (MGC) respectively. Incidentally, BIMSTEC was conceptualised to synergise the Look East and Look West policies of India and Thailand respectively.

    Road Ahead

    Cultural bonds underlie the long-standing relationship between the two countries. More than 90% of Thais follow Buddhism, introduced in Thailand by the Indian king Ashoka. Earlier known as Siam, Thailand finds a mention in Indian classical literature. Almost all aspects of Thai life — art, architecture, dance, drama, literature and language depict the richness of cultural ties. This is perhaps the reason that Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket have become sought-after destinations for Indian tourists, and Thai cuisine a common feature in Indian restaurants. For Thai Buddhists, Bodh Gaya and Sarnath have been places of religious importance.

    The growing partnership with Thailand exemplifies India’s recent policy shift to accord priority to its extended neighbourhood. However, many challenges demand their attention. Preemptive measures are needed to prevent humanitarian crises along the Myanmar borders. Both are facing daunting challenges of drug trafficking, armed insurgency and separatism. In Northeastern India and Southern Thailand, these problems are compounded by Myanmar providing a safe haven for those involved in such activities.

    An increasingly assertive China poses a challenge to the countries of the East Asian region. While a ‘hedging strategy’ defines both Indian and Thai policy vis-à-vis China to a great extent, Thailand, as a non-NATO ally of the United States, might side with the US in any regional conflict and India’s growing partnership with the US would help them stick together in such a scenario. The US’ increasing presence in East Asia is being welcomed by the two as a measure to ensure a multi-polar region.

    Shared stake in regional stability

    Though it demands substantive bilateral interactions and nurturing at the policy making levels, the overall state of India-Thai relations is moving in the right direction. No doubt India’s Look East Policy has boosted its relations with Thailand. However, the two countries can step up ties by dealing with pressing mutual concerns in the Bay of Bengal sub-region, such as refugee issues; actions of non-state actors; arms, drugs and human trafficking; and natural disasters.

    India and Thailand are important stakeholders and have to assume greater responsibility to help ensure peace, stability and prosperity in the trans-Indian-Pacific oceans region of East Asia.

    About the Authors

    Rahul Mishra is a Researcher specialising on Southeast Asian affairs at the Institute for Defence Studies & Analyses, New Delhi. Sana Hashmi is a Research Associate at the Centre for Airpower Studies, New Delhi. They contributed this joint commentary specially to RSIS Commentaries. 

    Categories: Commentaries /

    Last updated on 01/10/2014

    RSIS Commentary is a platform to provide timely and, where appropriate, policy-relevant commentary and analysis of topical and contemporary issues. The authors’ views are their own and do not represent the official position of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), NTU. These commentaries may be reproduced with prior permission from RSIS and due credit to the author(s) and RSIS. Please email to Editor RSIS Commentary at [email protected].

    Synopsis

    India marked two decades of its Look East Policy by inviting Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra as the chief guest at this Year’s Republic Day celebrations. While India is keen to widen and deepen its strategic footprint in East Asia, Thailand regards India as its gateway to South Asia.

    Commentary

    THAI PRIME Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was the Guest of Honour at India’s 63rd Republic Day celebrations on 26 January 2012. The visit marked the completion of 65 years of India-Thai relations. Significantly she is the third leader from the East Asian region consecutively to be the chief guest at India’s Republic Day parade after Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and South Korean President Lee Myung- bak.

    The visit also marked 20 years of the Thai dimension of India’s Look East policy, which was initiated by Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao during his trip to Thailand in 1993. For its part, Thailand regards India as a traditional partner with cultural, linguistic and religious bonds. The Thai government reciprocated India’s eastward-looking policy with its own Look West policy in 1996, signing a trade pact with India under an Early Harvest Scheme in 2004.

    Strategic cooperation

    Thailand views India as the gateway to South Asia and beyond. Bilateral trade has increased six-fold since 2000 and crossed the US$6 billion mark in 2010. The two countries aim to reach the $14 billion level by 2014. PM Yingluck, who brought along a 100-strong delegation, discussed greater cooperation with her Indian counterpart, including on the Chennai-Dawei Corridor, energy and a free trade area.

    Besides economic ties, Thailand and India share a common prism on strategic matters such as defence and maritime security across the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea, manifested through cooperation at various levels. They conduct joint maritime patrol exercises, disaster management operations, and regular exchange of officials for defence training purposes. The Thai and Indian navies work together on naval patrols and transnational crime prevention exercises. The two countries signed a defence cooperation agreement during Yingluck’s visit, which will further increase defence ties.

    The two countries also share several regional platforms, such as the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM+), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS). India is also an integral member of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) initiated by Thailand. Likewise, Thailand is a core member of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) and the Mekong Ganga Project (MGC) respectively. Incidentally, BIMSTEC was conceptualised to synergise the Look East and Look West policies of India and Thailand respectively.

    Road Ahead

    Cultural bonds underlie the long-standing relationship between the two countries. More than 90% of Thais follow Buddhism, introduced in Thailand by the Indian king Ashoka. Earlier known as Siam, Thailand finds a mention in Indian classical literature. Almost all aspects of Thai life — art, architecture, dance, drama, literature and language depict the richness of cultural ties. This is perhaps the reason that Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket have become sought-after destinations for Indian tourists, and Thai cuisine a common feature in Indian restaurants. For Thai Buddhists, Bodh Gaya and Sarnath have been places of religious importance.

    The growing partnership with Thailand exemplifies India’s recent policy shift to accord priority to its extended neighbourhood. However, many challenges demand their attention. Preemptive measures are needed to prevent humanitarian crises along the Myanmar borders. Both are facing daunting challenges of drug trafficking, armed insurgency and separatism. In Northeastern India and Southern Thailand, these problems are compounded by Myanmar providing a safe haven for those involved in such activities.

    An increasingly assertive China poses a challenge to the countries of the East Asian region. While a ‘hedging strategy’ defines both Indian and Thai policy vis-à-vis China to a great extent, Thailand, as a non-NATO ally of the United States, might side with the US in any regional conflict and India’s growing partnership with the US would help them stick together in such a scenario. The US’ increasing presence in East Asia is being welcomed by the two as a measure to ensure a multi-polar region.

    Shared stake in regional stability

    Though it demands substantive bilateral interactions and nurturing at the policy making levels, the overall state of India-Thai relations is moving in the right direction. No doubt India’s Look East Policy has boosted its relations with Thailand. However, the two countries can step up ties by dealing with pressing mutual concerns in the Bay of Bengal sub-region, such as refugee issues; actions of non-state actors; arms, drugs and human trafficking; and natural disasters.

    India and Thailand are important stakeholders and have to assume greater responsibility to help ensure peace, stability and prosperity in the trans-Indian-Pacific oceans region of East Asia.

    About the Authors

    Rahul Mishra is a Researcher specialising on Southeast Asian affairs at the Institute for Defence Studies & Analyses, New Delhi. Sana Hashmi is a Research Associate at the Centre for Airpower Studies, New Delhi. They contributed this joint commentary specially to RSIS Commentaries. 

    Categories: Commentaries

    Last updated on 01/10/2014

    Back to top

    Terms of Use | Privacy Statement
    Copyright © S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. All rights reserved.
    This site uses cookies to offer you a better browsing experience. By continuing, you are agreeing to the use of cookies on your device as described in our privacy policy. Learn more
    OK
    Latest Book
    CO12022 | India-Thai Relations: Look East, Look West

    Synopsis

    India marked two decades of its Look East Poli ...
    more info