During his visit to Bangkok for the BIMSTEC Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in bilateral meetings with the leaders of Myanmar and Thailand, thereby reaffirming India’s status as a first responder in crisis situations and fostering greater regional cooperation. The discussions emphasised the importance of bolstering diplomatic and economic relations, as well as providing assistance in the wake of the recent earthquake that caused significant damage to the region.
India provides assistance to Myanmar in the wake of the earthquake.
On Friday, Prime Minister Modi engaged in a meeting with Myanmar’s Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on the outskirts of the BIMSTEC Summit. The discussions centred on the growing bilateral relations between India and Myanmar, with a specific focus on capacity building, infrastructure development, and connectivity.
Prime Minister Modi conveyed his sincere condolences for the loss of life and property damage resulting from the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28 during the meeting. His emphasis was on India’s dedication to Myanmar’s assistance during this difficult period.
In a message that was shared on X (formerly Twitter), Prime Minister Modi stated, “I had the opportunity to meet with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing of Myanmar on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok.” We once again extended our condolences for the loss of life and property damage following the most recent earthquake. During this crucial time, India is making every effort to support our fellow citizens in Myanmar. Additionally, we deliberated on bilateral relations between India and Myanmar, with a particular emphasis on infrastructure development, capacity building, and connectivity.
Under the auspices of “Operation Brahma,” the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has assumed responsibility for conducting extensive rescue and relief operations in the affected regions of Myanmar as part of India’s prompt response. For an extended period, people have recognised India’s reliability as a regional partner and as the first responder in emergency situations. This initiative serves as a testament to New Delhi’s ongoing dedication to regional solidarity.
Strengthening Ties with Thailand: A Common Vision for the Future
Prime Minister Modi also engaged in extensive bilateral discussions with Thailand’s Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the day before the encounter with the Myanmar delegation. The objective of the discussions was to enhance the strategic and economic collaboration between the two countries.
PM Modi was cordially welcomed by the Thai Prime Minister and senior officials at the Government House in Bangkok. PM Modi expressed his appreciation for the cordial reception and expressed his solidarity with the Thai people, who were also impacted by the recent seismic activity.
He recently shared on social media that he had a highly productive meeting with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Bangkok. He expressed his gratitude to the Thai people and government for their cordial reception, and also expressed his solidarity with the Thai people following the recent earthquake. The “Act East” and “Act West” policies pursued by India and Thailand are highly compatible and allow for many avenues for joint cooperation.
The two leaders also touched upon an increase in political engagement, mature defence and security partnerships, and avenues for person-to-person contact through cultural and educational exchanges. They also stressed the importance of promoting cooperation in health, science and technology, innovation, the digital economy, start-ups, and tourism.
They also discussed the implementation of India’s “Act East” Policy.
Both meetings amply demonstrated the practical implementation of India’s ‘Act East’ policy to enrich the dynamic economic and strategic relationship with Southeast Asian nations. With its outreach diplomacy and timely humanitarian action, India has claimed with conviction its stature as a responsible and responsive regional power.
The confluence of India’s ‘Act East’ and Thailand’s ‘Act West’ provides good opportunities for synergies. Connectivity through land, sea, and air would much facilitate greater trade, tourism, and cultural exchange within the region, which remains both countries’ top priority.
The bilateral relationship between India and Myanmar would increasingly hold importance because of their shared geography, culture, and economic ties. If continued infrastructure projects by India in Myanmar—the Kaladan multi-modal transit transport project and the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway—had any potential at all, it would be for much better connectivity and cooperation.
A Message of Regional Unity
Prime Minister Modi holds interactions with regional leaders during the BIMSTEC Summit at this exact moment when Southeast Asia faces calamities like natural disasters on the part of several countries. India’s role as a humanitarian responder and development partner highlights its growing prominence on the global and regional arena.
Assistance from India to Myanmar bears witness to the spirit of shared prosperity, cooperation, and security in the region where Operation Brahma still prevails. These ongoing strategic dialogues in Bangkok are expected to enhance bilateral relations and play a significant role in the wider stability and development of the entire Indo-Pacific region. Source ANINEWS
For more exciting updates, subscribe to Apexadpros and follow us on Instagram for regular insights!
