NEW DELHI, 4 June 2005 — India added a fresh impetus to its diplomatic drive in a Look-East policy by forging closer cooperation with two regional nations. After an overtly enhancement of military ties with Sri Lanka, following President Chandrika Kumaratunga’s second visit since Congress-led UPA government assumed office last year, Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on a daylong working visit boosted a host of bilateral and regional issues. Chandrika arrived here on a three-day visit on Thursday evening, while Shinawatra arrived yesterday and was received by Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Thai premier covered a host of issues of mutual interest. These included security cooperation, trade, economy, culture and education, tourism, civil aviation, science and technology and cooperation in disaster management.
The two premiers discussed ways for pushing a free trade deal between the two countries, sources said. Manmohan had held talks with Shinawatra on this issue during his Bangkok visit last July. The two leaders had agreed to set up Free Trade Area (FTA) that would be functional by September one, 2006. They also agreed that from Sept. 1, 2006, tariff barriers would be completely abolished.
The two sides signed an Educational Exchange Program after Human Resources Development Minister Arjun Singh called on the Thai premier yesterday. The program provides for exchange of conferences, exhibitions, seminars and joint research. Bilateral relations between India and Thailand have been on the upswing after India became a dialogue partner of ASEAN and a member of ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). BIMSTEC initiative (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand Economic Cooperation) and the Mekong-Ganga Project have also played a significant role in enhancing trade and tourism relations between the two countries.
Soon after his arrival, Shinawatra met Indian businessmen for lunch. To further enhance bilateral trade, Thailand is interested in lowering of trade barriers and increasing number of Thai airline flights to major Indian cities, according to a Thai government spokesman.
Earlier, India had offered to assist its southern neighbor Sri Lanka to redesign its air-defense network after allegations that Tamil Tiger rebels have acquired at least two aircraft, a report said yesterday. New Delhi told Chandrika it is willing to consider all proposals from Colombo, including training Sri Lankan personnel or guidance and advice in designing air defenses, the Indian Express daily reported. Colombo will send a team of senior defense officials to India to discuss the technical details, it said.
The offer was made during talks in New Delhi late Thursday between Manmohan and Chandrika. India would also help provide Sri Lanka, which has focused more on maritime than air security, with radars to improve its air-space coverage. The island’s existing radar network is used for civil aviation purposes leaving a gap for small aircraft to operate at low altitudes, it added.
She briefed Manmohan on ongoing peace process with LTTE. Congress President Sonia Gandhi called on Chandrika.
