India and Thailand Strengthen Defence Ties at 9th Defence Dialogue in New Delhi

New Delhi: The 9th India-Thailand Defence Dialogue, a key step in deepening defence collaboration between the two nations, was held in New Delhi today. The meeting was co-chaired by Amitabh Prasad, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) from India, and Gen Tharapong Malakam, Thailand’s Deputy Permanent Secretary for Defence.

The dialogue focused on bolstering defence ties, with both sides agreeing to establish a Joint Working Group to steer and monitor cooperation in defence industries. This move aims to enhance collaboration in co-designing, co-production, and co-development of defence technologies, leveraging India’s robust domestic defence industry ecosystem and Thailand’s strategic requirements.

Key Outcomes of the Dialogue:

1. Joint Working Group: Early establishment of a group to streamline defence industry collaboration and monitor progress.
2. Subject Matter Experts Exchange: Institutionalizing regular engagements between the armed forces of both countries in specialized domains.
3. Defence Industry Cooperation: Thailand expressed interest in exploring the capabilities of India’s defence ecosystem, with an emphasis on co-designing and co-producing advanced systems.

India and Thailand’s defence dialogue underscores the importance of their maritime and regional partnership. India’s ‘Act East’ Policy and Thailand’s complementary ‘Act West’ Policy form the foundation for a strategic elevation of ties in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Indian co-chair emphasized India’s domestic defence industry’s potential to support Thailand’s defence acquisition plans, while Thailand acknowledged India’s growing defence capabilities and proposed joint initiatives to boost technological cooperation.

Before the dialogue, Gen Tharapong Malakam paid homage to India’s fallen heroes at the National War Memorial in New Delhi. The Thai delegation also visited the National Museum to pay respects to the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha, symbolizing the shared cultural heritage between the two nations.

As part of their visit, the Thai delegation will tour the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) headquarters to discuss ways to enhance defence industrial capabilities through research collaborations and joint production initiatives.

The 9th Defence Dialogue marks a significant milestone in Indo-Thai defence relations, strengthening bilateral cooperation in alignment with shared strategic priorities in the region.