Indian expertise wooed for digital projects
THAILAND and India have reaffirmed their readiness to broaden economic cooperation in all areas, with the pledge coming as Thailand seeks to encourage Indians to lend their expertise in digital technology and help foster the development of so-called smart cities and other initiatives under the Thailand 4.0 vision.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday held discussions with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Asean-India Summit in New Delhi, said Weerachon Sukhonthapatipak, Thailand's deputy government spokesman.
Prayut said Thailand was ready to promote its creative partnership with India in all dimensions, including with digital cooperation in projects such as the development of smart cities. India was in an advanced stage of digital transformation, Prayut noted, and Indian companies could play a role in advancing Thailand’s economic reforms, such as the Thailand 4.0 policy, the development of the Eastern Economic Corridor and the new S-Curve industries.
In August, Thailand will act as a coordinator for affairs related to the relationship between Asean and India and would also seek to spur progress in the economic relationship between Thailand and India.
Both prime ministers agreed to push for both bilateral and regional cooperation.
On regional cooperation, both countries gave their approval to efforts for strengthened connectivity on land and sea, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region and through the regional comprehensive economic partnership (RCEP).
India said it views Thailand as a major neighbouring country, in terms of a shared sea, would seek new sea stability cooperation, promote anti-terrorism and actions to combat transnational crimes as well as pursue cooperation in tourism and connectivity among both countries' tourist cities.
Thailand and India will also cooperate on matters relating to palm oil and natural rubber.
