Relationship dossier
India
Thailand
Relationship assessment
A strategic partnership with recurring defence cooperation and connectivity ambitions
India toward Thailand
+55India has pursued defence cooperation with Thailand through recurring Maitree army exercises and coordinated naval patrols. India has also supported bilateral connectivity initiatives, including the India–Myanmar–Thailand highway project.
Thailand toward India
+55Thailand has participated in recurring Maitree army exercises and coordinated naval patrols with India, and has engaged in bilateral connectivity initiatives such as the India–Myanmar–Thailand highway project.
Overall relationship
+55The relationship is underpinned by a strategic partnership, recurring military cooperation and bilateral connectivity initiatives. These sustained areas of engagement support a substantially cooperative overall relationship, while delays in implementing connectivity projects temper its depth.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
India and Thailand maintain a strategic partnership supported by recurring defence cooperation, including the Maitree army exercise and coordinated naval patrols. Bilateral mechanisms and agreements complement these practical ties. Connectivity initiatives have also featured prominently, although their implementation has faced delays.
Key developments
India and Thailand established a strategic partnership.
The two countries have conducted recurring Maitree army exercises.
India and Thailand have conducted coordinated naval patrols.
The India–Myanmar–Thailand highway was advanced as a bilateral connectivity initiative.
Major uncertainties
- The extent and pace of implementation of bilateral connectivity projects are unclear.
- The current scope of defence and security cooperation beyond recurring exercises is unclear.