'Look West' policy of Thailand looks towards India

Guwahati, Feb 25 (UNI) Just as the 'Look East' policy of India is drawing it closer to South East Asian countries, Thailand's 'Look West' policy is bringing that country closer to India.

Talking to reporters on the eve of the International Guwahati Trade Fair (IGTF) here today, Royal Thai Embassy's Commercial Affairs Counselor (commercial) Tharadol Thongruang said, ''The volume of bilateral trade between Thailand and India has shown substantial increase over the years and we expect more trade in future.'' Thailand had been a regular participant in the IGTF and would make its fourth consecutive appearance this year.

''From four stalls during our first participation, we have started upto 30 stalls this year,'' Mr Thongruang said.

He pointed out that the geographical closeness and similarity in culture and religion in other social and historical aspects have drawn Thailand closer to North East India.

He said,''Like India's 'Look East' policy, Thailand has its 'Look West' policy. We are looking at better trade relations with our nearest western countries like Myanmar, India and Bangladesh, instead of concentrating on further west.'' Mr Thongruang said besides manufactured products or raw materials, tourism was another field which could be explored.

''People in Thailand have interest in knowing the Asom legacy of North East, with the river Brahmaputra being the other object of interest to them,'' he said.

He informed that a group of 10-20 people from Thailand would be visiting North East next month.

UNI