NDC India delegation visits Thai Air Force HQ
Bangkok, June 2
A delegation from the National Defence College of India visited the Royal Thai Air Force Headquarters in Bangkok on Tuesday.
The Embassy of India in Bangkok wrote on X that the delegation visited the RTAF Headquarters for a courtesy call on Air Marshal Wichain Vijiradharma, Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Intelligence), as part of efforts to strengthen India-Thailand defence ties.
According to the Embassy, the delegation was warmly received and later toured the RTAF Museum as part of their Foreign Countries Study Tour.
The delegation also paid a courtesy call on Ambassador Puneet Agarwal at the Embassy of India in Bangkok.
The Embassy noted that a delegation led by Maj Gen APS Bal from the NDC India is on a study visit to Thailand and held discussions with Ambassador Puneet Agarwal.
It added that wide-ranging discussions took place on ways to further strengthen the India-Thailand Strategic Partnership through enhanced defence-sector engagement.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), bilateral defence relations between India and Thailand gained momentum following India's Look East Policy, which was later upgraded to the Act East Policy, leading to overall improvement in relations across political, economic, and cultural levels.
India-Thailand defence cooperation comprises regular joint exercises and joint maritime patrols near the international maritime boundary to counter terrorism, piracy, and smuggling. It also includes training of officers at each other's Armed Forces Training institutions, service staff talks, and exchange of visits at various levels.
After the lifting of COVID-related restrictions in 2022, mutual Subject Matter Expert exchange visits and port calls by Indian ships recommenced.
Defence industry cooperation between the two countries has also increased steadily. Both sides participate in each other's defence-related exhibitions, such as Aero India, DefExpo, and Defence & Security exhibitions. Senior Defence Officials from both countries visit these exhibitions to promote further cooperation.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good to see India engaging with Thailand on defence matters. The Southeast Asian region is very important for India's maritime security. Thailand is a key partner in countering piracy in the Andaman Sea. But I hope Bilateral trade also gets a boost along with this defence cooperation.
While defence diplomacy is necessary, India must also focus on upgrading our own military equipment. Joint exercises are fine but actual capabilities matter. Thailand might be looking for arms deals - we need to ensure our defence exports to such countries also grow.
This is excellent news! India's Act East Policy is showing results. Thailand is a friendly neighbour and these visits by NDC India delegation build important people-to-people contacts between our military establishments. The RTAF Museum visit also shows cultural diplomacy. 🇮🇳🤝🇹🇭
Strengthening ties with Thailand makes strategic sense for India. Both countries face similar challenges like terrorism and drug trafficking in the region. Joint maritime patrols are particularly important given our shared maritime boundaries. Hope this goes beyond just courtesy calls.
Interesting to see NDC India's involvement in these study tours. Makes sense - future military leaders need exposure to regional geopolitics. Thailand's strategic location near the Malacca Strait makes this partnership valuable for India's maritime interests. Good diplomatic work by our embassy too.
J We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.