On 6-7 August 2024, H.E. Ms. Pattarat Hongtong, Ambassador of Thailand to India, welcomed H.E. Mr. Suchart Chomklin, Deputy Minister of Commerce, on the occasion of his visit to India to attend the BIMSTEC Business Summit 2024, organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

The Deputy Minister delivered a speech in the Special Plenary Session on the topic of “Why early operationalization of BIMSTEC FTA is going to add fresh momentum to economic integration” together with representatives of the Commerce Ministers of the BIMSTEC member states. The Deputy Minister urged the BIMSTEC members to work together to conclude the negotiations for the BIMSTEC Free Trade Agreement, which will be an important mechanism for increasing trade dynamism in the Bay of Bengal region. He also emphasized Thailand’s readiness to host the 6th BIMSTEC Summit on 4 September 2024, where the "Bangkok Vision 2023" will be adopted to set the direction for member states’ cooperation towards a prosperous, resilient and open BIMSTEC by 2030.

In this occasion, Ambassador Pattarat hosted a lunch in honour of the Deputy Minister of Commerce and the Thai delegation. The Embassy also arranged a small group discussion between the Deputy Minister and representatives of Thai companies having their business and investment in India.