PM Modi Highlights Thailand's Key Role In India's Act East Policy, Mourns Loss Of Lives In Earthquake: Video
PM Modi highlighted the strong cultural ties between India and Thailand, referencing deep roots in Buddhism and shared Ramayana heritage. He also conveyed condolences for the earthquake in Thailand.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that the centuries-old relationship between India and Thailand is tied to deep cultural and spiritual ties. Speaking in Bangkok, PM Modi said that he is grateful to the Thai government for issuing the postage stamp based on 18th-century Ramayana' mural paintings on the occasion of his visit.
Addressing a joint press conference with Thailand PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra, PM Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives in the earthquake that occurred on March 28 and wished for the quick recovery of those who were injured.
"The centuries-old relationship between India and Thailand is deeply rooted in our cultural and spiritual bonds. The spread of Buddhism has connected our people, with scholars exchanging knowledge from Ayodhya to Nalanda... I am grateful to the government of Thailand for issuing a special postage stamp based on an 18th-century Ramayana mural paintings to mark my visit," PM Modi said.
VIDEO | Bangkok: Here's what Prime Minister Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) said while addressing a joint press briefing with Thailand PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra:
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 3, 2025
"On behalf of the people of India, I deeply mourn the loss of lives in the earthquake that occurred on March 28, and we… pic.twitter.com/nBptE4qYl9
PM Modi also said that India fully supports ASEAN unity and ASEAN centrality. "In the Indo-Pacific, we both support a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based order. We believe in the policy of vikaasvaad, not vistaarvaad (development-ism, not expansionism), PM Modi said.
"I am grateful to the Thai government for issuing a special postage stamp based on the 18th-century ‘Ramayana’ mural paintings on the occasion of my visit, he further added.
PM Modi said Prime Minister Shinawatra presented him with the Tripitaka.
"On behalf of the Buddha-land India, I accepted it with folded hands, he added. The centuries-old relationship between India and Thailand is tied to their deep cultural and spiritual threads, he said.
PM Modi, who arrived on a two-day visit to attend the 6th BIMSTEC summit, earlier received a Guard of Honour and also witnessed a mesmerising Ramakien -- Thai Ramayana performance. The Prime Minister will later join the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) leaders from Thailand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar and Bhutan to oversee the signing of the Agreement on Maritime Cooperation.
After concluding Thailand's visit, he will travel to Sri Lanka for his first visit to the island country since the election of its new president.The BIMSTEC summit will bring Modi face to face with Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Myanmar military junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, among others. In a departure statement, Modi described BIMSTEC as a significant forum for promoting regional development, connectivity, and economic progress in the Bay of Bengal region over the past decade.
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