Bangkok, November 8
India said today that it was willing to consider a free trade area with Thailand as the two countries discussed ways of enhancing bilateral trade and economic cooperation.The Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, who made a brief bilateral visit to Thailand on his way back home from Laos, expressed India’s willingness to consider a free trade area between the two countries during the talks with his Thai counterpart, Thaksin Shinawatra.
Mr Thaksin, who visited India twice in February and October, hosted a lunch for Mr Vajpayee at the foreign office here.
Mr Vajpayee was received at Don Muang Airport by the Thai Foreign Minister, Mr Surakiat Sathirathai, and also seen off by him.
Officials said Mr Vajpayee’s visit was intended to renew constructive dialogue with Thailand, which was an important trading and investment partner of India in the ASEAN.
India’s exports to Thailand reached $ 429 million in the first seven months this year.
Indian exports to Thailand include gems, jewellery, iron and steel products, lubricants, medicinal and pharmaceutical products, while Thai exports include agricultural commodities, motor car parts, automatic data processing machines and chemical products.
India was also a part of the sub-regional economic cooperation in Mekong-Ganga Cooperation initiative.
PTI
