Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has stressed the importance of keeping free trade moving forward, while highlighting BRICS’ growing economic weight and India’s role in global affairs.
Speaking in an exclusive interaction with CNN-News18, Phuangketkeow said, “We have to keep the free trade going, BRICS contribute 1/3 of the global GDP.”
In the ongoing conflict in West Asia, the Thai Deputy Prime Minister credited India with playing an important role in efforts to address the crisis.
“India played a key role in helping to resolve the West Asia conflict issue,” he said.
Phuangketkeow also spoke about India’s push for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. He described India as a leading contender for permanent membership
but pointed to the difficulties involved in bringing about reforms at the UN.
“India is a leading candidate for UNSC permanent membership, but getting reforms in the UN is not easy,” he said.
His comments came amid discussions at the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, where issues including global trade, international conflicts and reform of global institutions remain key areas of focus.
Thailand-India Ties
Thailand has been strengthening its engagement with India in recent years. The two countries elevated their ties to a Strategic Partnership in April 2025, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangkok for the BIMSTEC Summit. The move marked 78 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The relationship covers several areas, including defence and security, trade and investment, connectivity, science and technology, education, health, culture and tourism. India and Thailand also share close cooperation through ASEAN and BIMSTEC, with India’s Act East policy and Thailand’s Act West approach providing an important framework for their engagement.
Economic ties remain an important part of the relationship. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, bilateral trade was around $14.94 billion in FY 2023-24, making Thailand India’s 21st-largest trading partner during that period. More recently, the two countries have been discussing ways to expand trade, investment and business-to-business links, including through the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement.
