Ayurveda and Thai Medicine Join Forces
The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister of Thailand, His Excellency Mr. Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, visited India at the request of Indian Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar from February 25 to 28, 2024. This visit is part of the ongoing high-level exchanges, strengthening the civilizational bonds between the two nations.
During the visit, Dr. S. Jaishankar and H.E. Mr. Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara co-chaired the 10th Joint Commission meeting, reviewing progress in areas such as defence, security, trade, investment, connectivity, science, technology, health, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. They also discussed regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest, expressing commitment to enhance cooperation within ASEAN, BIMSTEC, MGC, ACMECS, and IMT-GT frameworks.
From the shared link of Buddhism to the shared boundary in the Andaman Sea, the countries have been exemplary in maintaining cordial relations. While the bilateral value stood at around $15 billion in 2021-22, the high exchange of tourists has been monumental in people-to-people ties. In 2023, Thailand also made visa-free entry for Indian tourists, especially in the backdrop of the latter's citizens accounting for over 11% of the total tourists in 2022. Simultaneously, for the people of Thailand, India is a big destination, especially because of the Buddhist pilgrimage sites, like Bodh Gaya.
In a bid to further the cultural exchange between the nations, an MOU was signed between India's National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, and Thailand's Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, focusing on academic collaboration in Ayurveda and Thai Traditional Medicine during the Thai Deputy PM’s visit. By facilitating the exchange of experts for research and training programs, the collaboration looks to promote education ties and foster the growth of traditional medicine.
The Thai Minister expressed gratitude for India's exhibition of the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha and his disciples in Thailand. This visit underscores the commitment to strengthen the India-Thailand partnership, aligning with India's Act East policy, which aims to deepen economic cooperation, develop cultural ties, and establish strategic relationships in the Indo-Pacific region, enhancing India's regional influence and serving as a counterweight to China's strategic influence.
