As part of the 75th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Thailand, the Royal Embassy of Thailand organised an exhibition and a discussion on the historical role played by textiles in the bilateral ties. Meenakshi Lekhi, minister of state for external affairs was the Chief Guest at the event hosted by Pattarat Hongtong, Ambassador of Thailand to India.

“This event is part of the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and India. We want to show how Thailand and India have built their relations through the textile culture, which is one of the many areas that have linked Thailand and India from the olden days. Our relationship has been longer than 75 years of course, but from this year onwards, we should look at the future on how Thailand and India can work together within our capacity and with the strength of India as the fastest growing economy and also Thailand, as one of the largest economies in South East Asia. So, we should find a way for the future. So, textile is at the source on how the roots of our bilateral relations had started,” Pattarat Hongtong, Ambassador of Thailand to India, tells India Outbound. 

“For the celebrations, we basically want to raise awareness amongst the young people in both India and Thailand to see contemporary India and Thailand. Not only on the culture but also on economic terms. So, basically, we want to promote this kind of awareness and knowledge about what is going on in Thailand and India. So, as part of this campaign, we have planned many activities here. We have the food promotion in August, then we will have an event on the contemporary paintings, where artists from Thailand and India will work together. All these projects will be done with the cooperation of Indian Council Cultural Relations and the Ministry of External Affairs of India. And then we will have also a seminar between the private sector for them to reconnect and learn and be updated about each other such as what has been going on for past two years during the Covid-19 and reconnect on issues like investment and trade,” she adds.