India, Thailand boost defence ties

New Delhi (VNA) – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Thai counterpart Prayut Chan-o-cha agreed to enhance cooperation in defence and security during their talks in New Delhi on June 17.

Both sides expressed a keen interest in enhancing collaboration in navigation, including counter-piracy, ensuring maritime security, and maintaining peace, safety, and security in the Indian Ocean through increasing joint exercises.

The two PMs agreed to push ahead with new security cooperation mechanisms under the Joint Working Group on Security Cooperation.

They condemned terrorism in all forms and agreed to work together to build a new global strategy for combating terrorism, cyber crime, human and drug trafficking, and cross-border crime.

The two countries concurred to boost affiliation in tourism, cyber security and connectivity with Thailand’s neighbouring countries, including Myanmar.

They were unanimous to push negotiations for the early signing of 12 cooperation agreements in various fields such as judicial assistance in trade, aviation services, free trade agreements, investment trade, information-technology, communication and electronics, along with counter smuggling and circulation of fake currency, and prevention of human trafficking.

After the talks, the two PMs witnessed the signing of a cultural exchange programme for 2016-2019 and a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between India’s Nagaland University and Thailand’s Chiang Mai University.

The Thai Prime Minister is visiting India for the first time, from June 16-18.-VNA