Remarks by H.E. Mr. Bhagwant Singh Bishnoi, Ambassador of India to
Thailand at Seminar on Tai Ethnic Culture in Northeastern India at
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre
on 18 November 2017

Your Excellency General Thanasak Patimapragorn, Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Pirapon Pisnupong, Director, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn
Anthropology Centre,
Distinguished scholars and participants,
Friends of India & Thailand,

    At the outset, I want to express our deep gratitude to the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre for joining hands with us in organizing this event. The Embassy has been organizing cultural events regularly and it gives us great happiness when we find that the Government of Thailand or a local organization is looking to be our partner in the organization of these activities. In this particular case, the Anthropology Centre has taken equal ownership and that we are delighted that we have done so.

2. Today’s activity is under the umbrella of the Festival of India to mark 70 years of diplomatic relations between our two countries. We have organized a series of dance performances, musical concerts, art exhibitions and academic seminars as part of our Festival. Our objective is to promote mutual understanding and respect among the people of both our countries.

3.  As far as Thailand is concerned, our relationship is special. We are linked by language, religion and culture. In fact, I have always said that the ties between our two countries is civilizational.

4.  India is a diverse country with people of many languages, religion and ethnicity living together. It is a matter of happiness for us that we also have community whose linkages with the people of Thailand may go back many centuries.

5.  I recall mentioning to Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn some weeks ago that we would be organizing this event. She was happy and mentioned to me that she had travelled to Assam and met some of the communities that are represented here today. She told me that she was able to understand the language of Thai speakers in India only if they spoke of one word at a time.

6. There is work being done to preserve Thai language and culture. We have an Institute of Thai Studies & Research in Assam as well as Baw-ok Pup-Lik Mioung Tai or Poorbanchal Tai Sahitya Sabha. I suppose collaboration between these organizations in India and the Anthropology Centre may be useful.

7. I want to also thank the Government of Assam for the support that they have provided for this event. The Seminar is also an example of the harmonious functioning of the federal structure in India.

8. In conclusion, I would like to thank the scholars from India and from Thailand who are participating in this event. I also think those who have come from India for the cultural performance that will be held in the evening. The Embassy is truly proud of its own role in this event.                                             

Thank you. 

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