India and Thailand have discussed strengthening trade and investment ties, with tariff barriers and balanced trade among key areas of focus…reports Asian Lite News Desk
India and Thailand have discussed ways to further strengthen trade and investment ties, including identifying areas of complementarity, resolving tariff and non-tariff barriers and achieving balanced trade for mutual benefit.
The discussions took place during a meeting between India’s Ambassador to Thailand Puneet Agrawal and Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Suphajee Suthumpun on September 17.
“Ambassador Puneet Agrawal paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mrs. Suphajee Suthumpun, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce of Thailand, on 17 September 2026. During the meeting, views were exchanged on further strengthening trade and investment ties between India and Thailand by identifying areas of complementarities, resolving tariff and non-tariff barriers and having a balanced trade for mutual benefit,” the Indian Embassy in Thailand posted on X.
The meeting followed a series of high-level engagements between the two countries.
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow was in India last week to attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13.
Earlier, on September 9, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal met a Thai delegation led by Suthumpun to discuss ways to strengthen economic ties and expand cooperation across several sectors.
The discussions covered trade, investment, tourism, logistics, pharmaceuticals, food processing, clean energy, automobiles and space.
“Held a productive meeting with the Thai delegation led by H.E. Ms. Suphajee Suthumpun, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce of Thailand. Discussed ways to further strengthen India–Thailand economic relations and deepen cooperation across trade, investment, tourism, logistics, pharmaceuticals, food processing, clean energy, automobiles, and space. Look forward to continued engagement and stronger partnerships between India and Thailand, creating greater opportunities for businesses and people of both countries,” Goyal said in a post on X following the meeting.
On September 7, Agrawal also called on Thailand’s Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Vijavat Isarabhakdi. Discussions focused on strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries, including cooperation in trade, investment, defence and security and cultural exchanges, according to the Indian Embassy in Thailand.
India and Thailand established diplomatic relations in 1947 and marked the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic ties in 2022.
According to the Indian Embassy in Thailand, bilateral relations cover a range of areas, including trade and investment, defence and security, connectivity, culture and tourism, education, science and technology and people-to-people exchanges.
Thailand’s Act West policy complements India’s Act East policy, while Thailand is also a maritime neighbour of India.
The latest discussions underline the continued focus by both countries on expanding economic cooperation and addressing trade-related barriers as part of their broader bilateral relationship.
