Guwahati: Strengthening educational ties between India and Thailand was at the centre of discussions at Gauhati University, where a senior Thai delegation held an interaction with university authorities on Tuesday.
The meeting explored possible avenues for closer engagement in higher education, research, information technology, tourism, culture, training, internships and student and academic exchanges. Representatives from Thai universities accompanied officials of Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs during the visit.
The delegation was headed by Urasa Mongkolnavin, Director-General of the Department of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.
Welcoming the visiting delegation, Gauhati University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nani Gopal Mahanta spoke about the historical and cultural connections linking Thailand, India and Northeast India. He also highlighted the linguistic relationship between the Thai language and the ancient Tai-Ahom language, while referring to efforts to preserve and promote these shared links through academic initiatives.
Mahanta also discussed Thailand’s engagement with India through regional and multilateral forums, including ASEAN, BIMSTEC, the East Asia Summit, Mekong-Ganga Cooperation and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). He expressed the hope that these platforms would contribute to deeper cooperation between the two countries.
During the interaction, Mongkolnavin highlighted the importance of the strategic relationship between Thailand and India and outlined areas where bilateral cooperation could be expanded. Education, tourism, culture, professional training, internships and academic exchanges were identified as areas with significant scope for greater engagement.
The Thai official also pointed to opportunities for collaboration in information technology and higher education, particularly through partnerships with Indian institutions such as Gauhati University.
The interaction provided a platform for exploring stronger institutional links between Gauhati University and universities in Thailand, while also bringing academic cooperation into the wider context of the longstanding cultural and historical relationship between Thailand, India and Northeast India.
