India and Thailand on Tuesday agreed to expand defence cooperation across key areas, including defence manufacturing, research, innovation, and capability development.
During the 10th Thailand-India Defence Dialogue held in Bangkok, the high-level dialogue reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral defence ties and provided an opportunity for both countries to exchange views on regional and global security developments, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
The meeting was co-chaired by Thailand’s Deputy Permanent Secretary for Defence, Admiral Nuttapol Diewvanich, and Joint Secretary in India’s Ministry of Defence, Satyajit Mohanty.
Focus on Indo-Pacific Security
During the discussions, both sides discussed the evolving security environment in the Indo-Pacific region and exchanged perspectives on regional developments. They reaffirmed the importance of strengthening cooperation to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said that the delegations reviewed the progress made in bilateral defence cooperation since the previous dialogue. Discussions covered the ongoing military-to-military engagements, capacity-building initiatives, training exchanges, maritime cooperation and other areas of mutual interest.
Review of Bilateral Defence Cooperation
The MoD said that the dialogue also reviewed the ongoing defence industry cooperation between the two countries. The two sides discussed opportunities to deepen collaboration in defence manufacturing, research, innovation and capability development, with a view to promoting mutually beneficial partnerships between their respective defence ecosystems.
Cooperation Through Regional Frameworks
The Ministry said that the delegations exchanged views on cooperation under regional and multilateral defence frameworks, including Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led mechanisms. They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening practical cooperation and addressing shared security challenges through dialogue and collaboration.
The meeting concluded with discussions on future engagements and the way ahead for bilateral defence cooperation. India and Thailand elevated their bilateral ties to a formal Strategic Partnership in 2025.
