Defence Minister of India Mr. A. K. Anthony visited Bangkok on June 5-6, 2013 at the invitation of his counterpart ACM Sukumpol Suwanatat. He was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Defence Ministry today by Thai defence Minister, who warmly recalled his own visit to India in December last year. Minister Anthony’s visit followed Prime Minister of India’s visit to Thailand last week.

The two defence Ministers noted with satisfaction the steadily growing bilateral defence ties that are characterized by regular joint exercises, coordinated patrolling, participation in each other’s training programmes and exchange of personnel. They discussed measures to further expand defence cooperation. ACM Sukhumpol also praised India’s indigenously developed defence capabilities. The two Ministers reviewed regional security situation and reaffirmed their support to collaborative regional mechanisms such as ADMM + for maintaining regional peace and security, freedom of navigation, keeping open sea lanes of communication, and cooperation in areas such as anti-piracy, disaster relief and rescue. They also underlined the importance of connectivity projects such as the trilateral highway in bringing closer India, Thailand and South-East Asian region as a whole.

Bangkok, June 6, 2013