Thai armed forces chief proclaims success in India trip

BANGKOK, July 1 (TNA) - Thai Armed Forces Chief General Thanasak Patimaprakorn has proclaimed a success in his recent official visit to India, scheduled for June 28-30, as the guest of the Indian government. General Thanasak, who is also a deputy chief of the Thai army-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), told journalists on Tuesday that bilateral relations between Bangkok and New Delhi have been further strengthened during his three-day trip to the South Asian nation. General Thanasak revealed that he paid a courtesy call on his Indian counterpart General Blkram Singh, who is also Indian Army Chief, to discuss joint military activities between Thailand and India, namely the next Cobra Gold joint exercise. The Thai armed forces chief said he also met Indian Finance and Defence Minister Shri Arun Jaitley to discuss issues on mutual interests and cooperation. According to the Thai armed forces chief, India showed understanding in Thailand's situation and expressed New Delhi's support to the NCPO's operations to bring about peace and stability to the nation, while both sides also agreed that bilateral ties and cooperation in trade, investment and tourism remain intact. The Thai armed forces chief acknowledged that his talks with the Indian authorities cover a plan on the construction of a cross border route, linking India with Thailand through Myanmar, which should be finalised by 2016. (TNA)