The 9th India-Thailand defence dialogue was held in New Delhi today. The meeting was co-chaired by Joint Secretary of International Cooperation Amitabh Prasad and Thailand’s Deputy Permanent Secretary for Defence Gen Tharapong Malakam. In a statement, the Defence Ministry said that India and Thailand agreed for the early establishment of a Joint Working Group to effectively steer and monitor the cooperation in the areas of the defence industry. The Ministry said both sides also agreed to conduct subject matter experts exchange between the Indian and the Thai Armed Forces to carry forward and institutionalise regular engagement in niche domains.

The Defence Ministry said that the dialogue is a significant milestone in intensifying defence relations with Thailand. Thailand is India’s maritime neighbour and an important partner in India’s Act East Policy and the Indo-Pacific region.