Following is the text of the Key Note Address by  Shri . E. Ahamed, Minister of State for External Affairs and HRD delivered at the Business Meeting with H.E. Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra, Prime Minister of theKingdom of Thaland jointed organised by CII, FICCI and ASSOCHAM at Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi today 25th January, 2012.

“Her Excellency Ms Ying-luck Shin-waat, Hon’ble Prime Minister of Thailand

Members of Thai Delegation

Shri Anand Sharma, Honorable Minster of Commerce and Industry, Government of India

Members of CII, FICCI and Assocham

Ladies and gentlemen,

It gives me great pleasure to be present here today at the business luncheon organized by   FICCI, CII & Assocham.  We are very happy to have Prime Minister of Thailand, Her Excellency Yingluck Shinawatra, as our honoured Chief Guest for our Republic Day ceremony.

India and Thailand are close friends who enjoy a mutually rewarding and enriching relationship based on multidimensional commonalities, including shared geographical space. We have built a strong structure of cooperation in many spheres of activity, including agriculture, industry, science and technology, education and cultural exchanges.

25 January 2012