Indian Vice President visits Thailand Feb 3-5

BANGKOK, February 4 (TNA) - Indian Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari is paying a three-day official visit to Thailand, scheduled for February 3-5, aimed to enhance bilateral relations between New Delhi and Bangkok in all dimensions. Accompanied by his wife, Salma Ansari, and his entourage, the Indian vice president landed at Wing 6 of the Royal Thai Air Force in Bangkok's Don Muang area on Wednesday afternoon, when he was honorably received by Thai Deputy Prime Minister Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Minister Uttama Savanayana at the airport. The Indian vice president expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome from the Thai government and referred to good and long-standing relations between the two allied countries, as India and Thailand will celebrate the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relation in 2017. The visiting Indian vice president then reached Bangkok's Government House on Wednesday evening and he, his wife and his entourage were, again, officially received and had a discussion with Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha on comprehensive cooperation, including that on economic and academic affairs, trade, investment, tourism, cultures, defence and security. The Indian vice president and the Thai prime minister also witnessed the signing of an Indian-Thai agreement and attended a dinner reception in honor of the visiting Indian vice president and his delegation, hosted by the Thai government. During his three-day stay in Thailand, the Indian vice president is also scheduled to meet Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn at the Sra Pathum Palace in Bangkok. It is the first official visit to Thailand by an Indian vice president in five decades, after the two previous visits at this level took place in 1958 and 1966. (TNA)