Thai foreign minister to visit India next week

New Delhi, Dec 24 (PTI) Discussions on a free trade agreement and improving connectivity are expected to be high on the agenda when Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul of Thailand visits India next week. India's External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and Tovichakchaikul will co-chair the India-Thailand Joint Commission Meeting on Tuesday where the two sides are also likely to deliberate on an extradition treaty and a mutual legal assistance treaty. The Thai leader's meetings here take place ahead of the state visit of Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who will be the guest of honour at India's Republic Day celebrations here on January 26. This would be Tovichakchaikul's first visit to India since assuming office in July 2011. The visiting Foreign Minister will also call on the Vice-President Hamid Ansari and and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. There have been six Prime Ministerial visits from Thailand to India during 2001-2011. The Thai Crown Prince Mahavajiralongkorn visited India in November last year which was followed by two visits of Princess Mahachakri in March and October. Tovichakchaikul's visit continues the tradition of regular high level contacts and is a re-affirmation of the importance India attaches to the relationship, an External Affairs Ministry statement said here Friday. Trade between India and Thailand has multiplied six times since 2000 to cross USD 6.6 billion in 2010 and is expected to touch USD 10 billion this year. Indian companies have invested USD two billion in Thailand and companies from that country have invested nearly USD one billion in India. PTI