New Delhi

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow met in the capital on Monday to explore new avenues for strengthening the strategic partnership between the two nations, with a strong emphasis on security collaboration, according to an official statement issued by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The ministry noted that both sides discussed ways to deepen cooperation on maritime security and address the growing menace of online scams. Thailand also invited India to participate in the International Conference on Global Partnerships to Combat Online Scams, scheduled to be held in Bangkok from December 17–18, 2025.

The statement added that the two leaders exchanged views on regional strategic matters, including the situation in Myanmar and efforts to maintain peace along the Thailand–Cambodia border, where Bangkok hopes to work with Phnom Penh on accelerating demining activities.

On Tuesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held separate talks with Phuangketkeow, during which he highlighted the long-standing ties between New Delhi and Bangkok, describing Thailand as “a very important maritime neighbour of India”.

According to the Thai ministry, both ministers appreciated the ongoing progress in bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors—political relations, trade and investment, connectivity, emerging technologies, science, innovation, startups and space.

Phuangketkeow also conveyed Thailand’s request for India’s support in its bid to join BRICS during India’s chairmanship in 2026.

The two ministers reviewed broader foreign policy coordination in light of current geopolitical tensions. Thailand reaffirmed its willingness to work closely with India across multilateral platforms to enhance regional integration. Jaishankar stressed the need for regular exchanges on “pressing issues”, with Myanmar figuring prominently in the talks.

The Thai foreign minister has repeatedly highlighted the urgency of combating transnational cyber-crime networks operating along Thailand’s borders with Myanmar and Cambodia, calling for deeper cooperation with India. He revealed that during a recent crackdown on scam syndicates, more than 1,000 Indian nationals fled to Thailand, while many others remain trapped in criminal hubs across the region.

Calling cyber scams a shared threat, he emphasised that Thai–Indian cooperation, along with broader regional and global coordination, will be essential to dismantle these networks.

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Both countries agreed to work jointly on tackling online scams and expediting assistance to Indian victims affected by cyber-crime.