Reimagining India–Thailand Relations

This book brings into focus India's relations with ASEAN and Thailand in particular. In the 1990s, India revived its relations with Southeast Asia. Yet, in comparison to China, India continued to be a distant neighbour. Hence, India has once again, through its 'Look and Act East' policies become intertwined with its immediate neighbours in the East, especially with Thailand. The objective of the book is to contextualise India's relations and influence in Southeast Asia over a period of nearly two thousand years, through culture and religion. The scope of the book extends beyond bilateral issues to include the multilateral, bringing in issues of trade negotiations under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Indo-Pacific construct. As ASEAN's importance grows in the regional and global landscape, there are ramifications for its relations with its traditional partners. The volatility and suspicion among the major powers, especially USA and China harbour the potential to disunite ASEAN. A rising India seeks a united and strong ASEAN both as a natural partner and in a bid to balance China's growing assertiveness and deep pockets. Based on interviews conducted with experts , diplomats and scholars in the field, this book encompasses a wide range of aspects that pertain to the historical, cultural, economic and strategic international relations of ASEAN and Thailand with India.Contents: Preface About the Author Acknowledgments List of Abbreviations List of Figures List of Tables Southeast Asia: An Indian Imprint Southeast Asia: The Colonial Capture (14th–20th Centuries) Thailand–India: Through the Lens of Southeast Asian History and Culture ASEAN Centrality: A Contemporary Strategic Perspective ASEAN–India Relations: Multilateral and Bilateral Dimensions Galvanizing India's Act East Policy: With a Focus on Northeast India and Myanmar India–Thailand Connectivity Initiatives: Strategic Underpinnings Thailand–India Economic Relations Reimagining India–Thailand Relations: The Way Ahead Bibliography Primary Sources: Interviews of Officials and Experts Index Readership: Students and researchers in political science , economics, and international relations, as well as history and religion. Business and industries seeking to trade / invest in Thailand, and Embassies, High commissions, universities based in China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia and India. International Relations;Bilateral;Multilateral ;Reimagining India Thailand;ASEAN;Indo-Pacific;China;Economic;Investment;Trade;Trade Agreements;Culture;Kings;Monarchy;Language;Thai;Tai Communities;North East;Myanmar;Corridors Perspective;Historical;RCEP;Cultural;Political;Strategic;Cooperation;South East Asia;Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI);Indian Ocean;South China Sea;Andaman Sea;Shipping;Ports;Mekong Ganga;United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS);ACMECS;Trilateral Highway;Kaladan Multimodal Transport Project;Maritime;Neighbours;Connectivity;Look East;Act East;Drugs Smuggling;Polity;Tourism;Manufacturing;Mighty Five;Cambodia;Laos;Vietnam;Education;Science;Technology;Digital;Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT);BIMSTEC;Bay of Bengal;Summits;Commerce;Innovation;Index;Colonialism;Europeans;Brahmanism;Buddhism;Hinduisation;Hinduism;Foreign Direct Investment (FDI);Regional Security0Key Features: Provides a holistic understanding of India's past and present relations with Thailand, contextualised within India's relations with Southeast Asia Encompasses aspects of history, culture, religion, economics, international relations as well as regional security Includes India's and ASEAN's views on RCEP and the Indo-Pacific structure, China's rise and inroads into Southeast Asia also undergird the discussion Provides an up to date detailed analysis of India's trade and investment with Thailand. It also provides a comparative perspective with ASEAN and China. Thailand's potential to be a manufacturing hub in Asia is also discussed