Minister Malhotra met H.E. Mr. Vijavat, Vice Minister for Foreign
Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, on 26 May for the Sixth
UKThailand Strategic Dialogue.
The UK welcomed the opportunity to mark the conclusion of the
year commemorating the 170th anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic relations between the two
countries. Minister Malhotra reaffirmed the UK's commitment to
further strengthening the partnership in the years ahead,
grounded in friendship, mutual respect, and common
interests.
The UK reaffirmed its strong commitment to
the ThailandUnited Kingdom Strategic Partnership
Roadmap and underlined the importance of boosting
economic growth by further liberalising trade, promoting
bilateral investment flows, and accelerating sustainable
development. The UK welcomed agreement to build on the Enhanced
Trade Partnership (ETP) and deepen economic cooperation,
including through a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) and
continued regulatory collaboration in sectors such as medical
devices, agri-food, automotive and renewable energy.
The UK welcomed opportunities to strengthen friendship and
mutual understanding through expanded tourism,
education and people-to-people exchanges, recognising
their vital role in underpinning the long-term resilience of
bilateral relations. The UK also
welcomed continuing cooperation in science, technology
and innovation, health, education, and arts and
culture, including efforts to reduce barriers to people-to-people
connections such as transnational education and mutual
recognition of qualifications.
The UK welcomed agreement to hold the next ThailandUnited
Kingdom Security Dialogue to deepen security
cooperation, protect shared interests and uphold shared values
amid an increasingly turbulent global and regional
environment. The UK welcomed efforts to ease tensions along
the ThailandCambodia border and expressed support for a peaceful,
lasting agreement between the two sides. The UK
also welcomed collaboration across a range of areas,
including agriculture, as well as joint action against cannabis
smuggling and scam centres. The UK reaffirmed its
commitment to achieving net zero and welcomed stronger
collaboration on climate change, energy and nature,
including cooperation on carbon markets and efforts to mobilise
investment.
