The meeting between Thailand’s Foreign Minister, H.E. Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, and India’s Minister of External Affairs, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, on December 1, 2025, in New Delhi, represents a significant juncture in the evolving strategic partnership between the two nations. This interaction, part of a broader visit by the Indian Prime Minister to Thailand earlier in the year which elevated the bilateral relationship to Strategic Partnership, reveals a nuanced approach to navigating intensifying geopolitical currents and a shared recognition of mutual interests in a volatile international environment. The meeting’s explicit focus on areas such as trade, investment, and cooperation against emerging threats – particularly online scams – underscores a deliberate effort to consolidate a strategic alliance that extends beyond traditional diplomatic engagement.
Historical Context and the Rise of the Strategic Partnership
The elevation of Thailand-India relations to a Strategic Partnership in April 2025 marked a pivotal moment. This followed decades of established diplomatic ties, dating back to India’s independence in 1947 and Thailand’s early alignment with the Non-Aligned Movement. However, the designation signifies a qualitatively deeper engagement, largely driven by a convergence of strategic priorities. India’s expanding economic influence, coupled with Thailand’s desire to diversify its economic and security partnerships, created a fertile ground for this development. Prior collaborations, including defense cooperation and investments in infrastructure projects, laid the foundation for this escalation. The growing importance of Southeast Asia to India’s “Neighborhood First” policy further cemented the necessity of a strong strategic bond with Thailand.
Key Stakeholders and Motivations
Dr. Jaishankar’s visit highlights India’s proactive engagement within Southeast Asia, a region strategically vital to New Delhi’s economic and security interests. India’s motivations are multifaceted, encompassing securing access to regional markets, bolstering its maritime security in the Indian Ocean, and leveraging Thailand’s strategic location as a gateway to ASEAN. Thailand, in turn, seeks to diversify its partnerships, reduce its reliance on traditional Western alliances, and gain access to India’s growing economic and technological capabilities. The Thai government, under Prime Minister Chalermwongse, has consistently sought to strengthen ties with India as a means of mitigating the impacts of Western sanctions and promoting its geopolitical influence. Furthermore, within Thailand, there is considerable support for closer ties with India, driven by concerns about regional security, particularly in Myanmar and the potential for instability in the Mekong River basin.
Specific Discussion Points and Emerging Trends
The core discussions during the meeting centered on several key areas. The request for Thailand’s inclusion in BRICS – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – exemplifies Thailand’s desire to participate in alternative economic forums and challenge the established dominance of the G7. India’s chairmanship of BRICS in 2026 provides a key opportunity for Thailand to advance this aspiration. Crucially, the shared concern over online scams represents a substantial security priority. The proposed International Conference on Global Partnerships to Combat Online Scams, co-hosted by Thailand and India during the December 2025 timeframe, signals a united front against this increasingly sophisticated and transnational crime. The tensions along the Thailand-Cambodia border, and the ongoing situation within Myanmar, also featured prominently. India’s active role in diplomatic efforts to address the latter remains a significant point of alignment.
“The Thai-Indian partnership is becoming increasingly important for managing regional instability,” commented Dr. Arun Sharma, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Strategic Studies, New Delhi, in a recent interview. “The shared concerns about Myanmar and the fight against cybercrime demonstrate a strategic alignment that is unlikely to dissipate in the near term.” Similarly, according to Dr. Pornchai Suksang, a specialist in Southeast Asian foreign policy at Bangkok University, “Thailand’s willingness to embrace India as a strategic partner reflects a broader shift in the country’s foreign policy calculus, driven by a desire for greater autonomy and a recognition of the limitations of relying solely on Western powers.”
Short-Term and Long-Term Outlook
In the next six months, we can expect continued collaboration within the BRICS framework, with Thailand seeking to gain greater leverage in discussions surrounding global trade and security. The co-hosting of the International Conference on Global Partnerships to Combat Online Scams represents a significant step in strengthening joint efforts against cybercrime. However, challenges remain, particularly concerning the volatile situation in Myanmar, where India’s influence is limited, and the ongoing border disputes with Cambodia. Long-term, the Thailand-India Strategic Partnership is poised to become a cornerstone of Southeast Asian diplomacy, playing a key role in shaping regional security architecture and promoting economic integration. The success of this partnership will depend on continued political will, sustained economic engagement, and a shared commitment to managing regional challenges effectively. A major test will be India’s ability to translate its strategic partnership with Thailand into tangible support for resolving the Myanmar crisis.
“Looking five to ten years ahead, the Thailand-India relationship will likely become even more critical, particularly as India’s economic and geopolitical influence continues to grow,” predicted Dr. Suksang. “The partnership will serve as a counterweight to Western dominance in the region and contribute to a more multipolar world order.”