Security cooperation has also expanded between Thailand and India and become a strategic pillar in bilateral relations. The maritime connections between Thailand and India are long-standing. The air connections between Thailand and India have also grown exponentially. More than 300 flights were exchanged before the COVID-19 restrictions on travel were imposed. The cultural connections between Thailand and India are deep and broad. Buddhism came to Thailand from India. Thailand and India consistently support their active participation in regional linkages and cooperation mechanisms setting forth greater achievements and live up to the expectations of the two countries and the world at large.

Thailand-India relations under ASEAN

The framework of ASEAN has expanded Thailand’s engagement with India augmenting its partnership for peace, progress and shared prosperity. To transcend the realm of ASEAN’s cooperation work in political, economic, security and people-to-people contacts the initiatives remain fructifying for Thailand and India expanding to other countries also. ASEAN Action Plan, covering various sectors such as land transport, maritime transport, border management, customs, immigration, logistics and safety and Public-Private Partnership (PPP). The India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway Project and its extension to Laos and Cambodia were one of the ongoing projects to promote greater ASEAN-India physical connectivity and is aimed to connect the ASEAN Highway Network with the highway system in eastern India. Connectivity plays an important role in building a strong foundation between the countries of the world that effectively transcends geographical and physical realms and opens prospective avenues for invigorating civilisational and people-to-people contacts. With shared values and common interest of India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway project aims to promote greater connectivity in the ASEAN region. The Indian Ocean connects with several ASEAN countries, namely, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. They belong to the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). IORA aim’s to promote peace, cooperation, sustainability and the blue economy.