Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' pitch gets Thai PM's support

NAY PYI TAW: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's strong ' Make in India' pitch today got the full support of his Thai counterpart Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha who said this concept can also be applied to drive the economy of his country.

At a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN-India summit, Gen Prayut also had a word of praise for India's 'Act East' policy, saying it is important for the 10-member southeast nations grouping.

The 'Act East' policy seeks to deepen India's ties with the southeast nations and other East Asian countries.

"I fully agree and admire the concept of the Make in India campaign. It can drive the economy. Thailand can apply it for its economy too," the Prime Minister's Twitter handle quoted the Thai Premier as having told him.

Prayut became Thailand's Prime Minister in August this year and is the first serving army officer to assume the top office in 22 years.

Modi told his Thai counterpart that there are several possibilities of cooperation in the economic sphere.

During the course of the meeting at the Myanmar International Convention Centre, Modi congratulated the General on becoming the Prime Minister of Thailand. "Am sure our relations will become stronger," he said.

Modi invited Gen Prayut for a visit to India and informed him that his External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will attend the Sanskrit Conference being organised in Thailand next year.

With the birthday of the Thai King falling on December 5, the Prime Minister also told Gen Prayut to convey his birthday greetings to King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Modi said he prayed for the King's long life. Bilateral trade between Indian and Thailand has multiplied eight times since 2000 to reach $8.68 billion in 2012.

During the period of January-February, 2013, bilateral trade was $1.68 billion.