The Indian ambassador to Thailand has vowed to use his country's "Act East" policy to boost ties with the kingdom on tourism, trade and investment, but is warning that drugs trading and transnational crime problems are challenges that both nations must address.
Shringla: Give terrorists no quarter
Speaking to the Bangkok Post, Harsh Vardhan Shringla said increasing tourism between the two countries could also result in a surge in transnational crime.
Closer cooperation between India and Thailand could help stem the problem, he said, adding the close ties between the countries also help maintain regional stability, particularly on security issues.
Thai-Indian relations have been warm since diplomatic ties were established in 1947.
Thailand is a popular destination for Indians, with one million visiting Thailand last year.
The number of Indian tourists has been on the rise, as a result of relaxed visa regulations and freer air travel, with more than 150 flights a week between both countries.
Many Thai tourists also traveled to India, especially the popular cities, including Mumbai, Jaipur, New Delhi, Kerala, Bangalore and the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Mr Shringla admitted growing tourism can cause negative side effects, including a rise in transnational crime.
"Any terrorist, criminal, or insurgent activity has to be dealt with by both sides," he said.
Both sides have been working to prevent unexpected security incidents. The countries agreed to set up a Thailand-India Joint Working Group (JWG) last year which will discuss a wide range of topics covering terrorism, military cooperation, arms smuggling, drug trafficking, money laundering, illegal migratory flows and international cyber-crime.
"We also have an extradition agreement, mutual legal assistance treaties (MLTs), and many other institutional frameworks that bring us closer together,'' he said.
A Sikh man who escaped from jail, Jagtar Singh Tara, crossed into southern Thailand recently, passing through Malaysia to Pakistan.
The ambassador said both countries are keen to ensure criminals and terrorists do not try to take advantage of the close relationship between the two countries for personal gain.
"They could exploit it to seek asylum or a transit facility but I think both sides can assure each other that we will not allow terrorists to gain such an opportunity,'' he said.
On drugs, Mr Shringla said India wanted to join Thailand, Laos and Myanmar to combat drug trafficking in the region, as a regional response to the problem was needed.
On trade cooperation, Mr Shringla said Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi is working hard to boost exchanges with his Southeast Asian counterparts though his "Act East Policy".
India also has stepped up negotiations on the India-Thailand Free Trade Agreement.
"We are doing more trade with Thailand than other Asean countries,'' he said.
The key Thai exports to India include automobile components, fruits, flora, and agricultural products.
India is delighted to be engaged in Asean's Regional Cooperation Economic Partnership (RCEP), he said.
Trade between the countries is worth $9 billion (295 billion baht) a year, with 60% of that representing Thai exports.
As bilateral ties continue to strengthen, India is preparing to host Prime Minister Gen Prayuth Chan-o-cha on an official visit next year.