India-Thailand Ties Shift Gear On Republic Day

By P. Vijian NEW DELHI, Jan 26 (Bernama) -- Thailand's first female premier Yingluck Shinawatra stood shoulder-to-shoulder alongside Indian political leaders today, mirroring a powerful bonding of ancient ties between both nations. At 44, Yingluck was the youngest high-profile foreign leader invited as chief guest to India's colourful 63rd Republic Day parade in Delhi, where the nation's military hardware was showcased. "It is an honour to be the chief guest. It will strengthen relations with our old friend India," she said cheerfully at a business meeting on Wednesday. India-Thai cultural-trade links traces to the days of Indian King Ashoka the Great in the second century, but Yingluck's arrival is seen to flip a new page in their 65-year diplomatic relations. "Both India and Thailand are in a position to play a key role in shaping the future of Asia. "India's Look East policy and Thailand's Look West policy complement and reinforce each other, as we both seek to broaden the horizons of our cooperation with our neighbours," Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said at last night's banquet to welcome Yingluck. The tone in Delhi clearly amplified both nations' desire to steer relations beyond trade, and signals India's growing geopolitical interest in the mineral-rich and economically vibrant region, also home to nearly 600 million consumers. "Given the progress in the relationship, both sides expressed the desire to work together towards elevating bilateral relations to strategic partnership for mutual benefit," said a joint statement. That includes tackling maritime and terrorism threats, cooperation in defence, science and technology, and enhancing land and sea port connectivity -- all of strategic interest to both nations. In the 2010 Republic Day parade, India played host to Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, perhaps a subtle message to its not-so-friendly neighbour China that India is also exerting influence in the region. -- BERNAMA