Prime Minister Narendra Modi was warmly welcomed in Thailand on Thursday, receiving a ceremonial Guard of Honour upon his arrival in Bangkok for the 6th BIMSTEC Summit.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra greeted PM Modi at the Government House, where the two leaders were scheduled to engage in wide-ranging discussions aimed at strengthening India-Thailand relations. Official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, shared details of the reception, noting that PM Modi’s arrival was marked by a special ceremonial welcome.
“A special ceremonial welcome with Guard of Honour. PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra of Thailand warmly received PM Narendra Modi at the Government House in Bangkok today. The two leaders will have wide-ranging discussions for charting the way for future India-Thailand partnership,” Jaiswal posted on X.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi also had a delegation-level talk with Thai PM Shinawatra, furthering bilateral discussions on cooperation in various sectors.
PM Modi also witnessed a culturally significant moment when he witnessed a captivating performance of the Ramakien, the Thai adaptation of the Ramayana. The performance highlighted the deep civilisational ties between India and Thailand, with the Ramayana remaining a shared cultural and spiritual heritage across the two nations. The Thai version of the epic features Lord Rama as Phra Ram, embodying the same virtues of sacrifice, devotion, and triumph over evil as seen in the Indian version.
Taking to X, PM Modi expressed his admiration for the performance: “A cultural connect like no other! Witnessed a captivating performance of the Thai Ramayana, Ramakien. It was a truly enriching experience that beautifully showcased the shared cultural and civilisational ties between India and Thailand. The Ramayana truly continues to connect hearts and traditions across so many parts of Asia.”
PM Modi was also greeted by the Indian community in Bangkok, who welcomed him with chants and prayers, symbolizing the enduring cultural bond between the two nations. “Grateful for the warm welcome by the Indian community in Bangkok. India and Thailand share a deep-rooted cultural bond that continues to flourish through our people. Heartening to see this connection reflected so strongly here,” PM Modi tweeted.
(With IANS inputs)
