The 9th India-Thailand Defence Dialogue was held in New Delhi, bringing together key representatives from both nations to discuss ways to enhance bilateral defence collaboration. The meeting was co-chaired by Joint Secretary for International Cooperation, Amitabh Prasad, and Thailand’s Deputy Permanent Secretary for Defence, General Tharapong Malakam.
One of the major outcomes of the dialogue was the agreement to establish a Joint Working Group to oversee and facilitate cooperation in defence industries. Both sides also decided to organize regular exchanges between subject matter experts from the Indian and Thai armed forces, aiming to institutionalize engagement in specialized domains.
During the discussions, the Indian side emphasized the capabilities of its domestic defence industry and its potential to support Thailand’s military acquisition plans. The Thai delegation expressed appreciation for India’s defence ecosystem and proposed collaboration on co-design, co-production, and co-development of defence technologies.
The meeting underlined the strategic partnership between the two nations, rooted in India’s Act East Policy and Thailand’s Act West Policy. Both policies complement each other and provide a strong foundation for advancing ties in the Indo-Pacific region.
Earlier in the day, General Malakam paid tribute to India’s fallen heroes at the National War Memorial and visited the National Museum, where he paid respects to the Holy relics of Lord Buddha. The Thai delegation is also scheduled to visit the Defence Research and Development Organisation headquarters to explore possibilities for enhancing defence industrial cooperation through joint research and production.
The dialogue reflects the growing defence partnership between India and Thailand and highlights their shared commitment to regional security and stability.(pr)