Shillong, 26th September 2024 – A forward-looking dialogue on strengthening India-Thailand relations through education took place in Shillong, focusing on the potential of India’s Northeastern Region (NER) as a hub for youth development and cross-border partnerships. Hosted by the Asian Confluence, the event spotlighted new avenues for collaboration, particularly in vocational training and human resource development.
Leading the Thai delegation was Her Excellency Miss Sasirit Tangulrat, Director General of Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who emphasised the need for targeted educational and vocational initiatives that could enhance opportunities for young people in both Thailand and Northeast India.
Her Excellency Miss Sasirit Tangulrat, in her keynote address, highlighted the critical role education plays in strengthening bilateral ties. She pointed to the Northeastern Region’s untapped potential, noting that focused efforts in education and vocational training could open new avenues for collaboration between Thailand and the region.
She also touched on the importance of tourism and its interplay with education in driving regional development.
Shri Sabyasachi Dutta, Executive Director of Asian Confluence, echoed this vision, emphasising the need for customised educational programs tailored to the region’s unique socio-economic landscape. He advocated for vocational training as a tool for economic empowerment and youth engagement, stressing the importance of partnerships that span multiple sectors.
According to Dutta, such collaborations would help the Northeast emerge as a key player in fostering India-Thailand ties.
Thai Delegation’s Broader Mission:
While education took centre stage at the Shillong event, the visit by the Thai delegation forms part of a larger mission aimed at strengthening overall bilateral relations between Thailand and India. Beyond education, the delegation is focused on deepening economic ties, enhancing trade opportunities, and fostering diplomatic cooperation between the two nations, particularly in the context of India’s Northeastern Region.
Thailand and India have shared a long history of cultural and economic exchanges, and the delegation's visit reflects a commitment to furthering these ties. Key sectors such as tourism, infrastructure development, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) were also highlighted as areas for collaboration. The Northeast’s strategic location as a gateway to Southeast Asia aligns with both India’s Act East Policy and Thailand’s Look West strategy, making it a natural focus for initiatives that can boost connectivity, trade, and investment between the two countries.
The session also included engaging discussions among representatives from educational institutions, academicians, and local entrepreneurs. Ideas for developing innovative programs were exchanged, with a shared commitment to building platforms that enhance youth skills and employability in the region.
The event highlighted the increasing importance of education as a cornerstone of India-Thailand relations, particularly in the context of the Northeastern Region. It set the stage for further collaborative efforts aimed at empowering the youth and driving sustainable economic growth through education and skill development.
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