Nepal-Thai Ties
PRIME Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba's talks with Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Sinawatra on
Monday morning appears to have been a beneficial exercise that has resulted in a
wide-ranging exchange of mutual views on cooperation between the two countries. In
discussing matters related to bilateral, regional and international concerns the two prime
ministers were keen to further advance the Nepal-Thailand ties to a higher level. Though
the two countries have enjoyed a cordial and close relationship, thanks to the common
bonds of culture and tradition between the two kingdoms, as the Thai prime minister put
it, there are certainly avenues of cooperation which, if properly explored, could produce
further mutual benefits. It is in this light that Prime Minister Deuba's prompt agreement
to give support to Asia Cooperation Dialogue, an initiative from Thailand, and indeed to
participate in it, should be viewed. Nepal could benefit by associating itself to that
dialogue process where Asian countries, according to Mr. Sinawatra, forge togetherness by
avoiding unhealthy competition and fostering a culture of working together for mutual
benefit.
It is also quite notable that Mr. Sinawatra assured the Thai
support to Nepal's desire to join as a full member BIMST-EC, where Nepal currently only
has an observer status. So was his categorical expression of support that Thailand would
be "happy" to support Nepal in joining the World Trade Organisation (WTO) for
which Nepal is currently making preparations. This is a significant assurance in view of
the fact that Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi of Thailand is taking over the position of the
director-general of WTO from September, 2002. No less significant was Mr. Sinawatra's
stated desire to give a helping hand for peace and prosperity of Nepal in whichever way
possible. This came following Mr. Deuba's mentioning how Nepal was fighting terrorism and
had thanked the Thai government for the moral support provided to Nepal in this fight. But
of immediate concern for Nepal vis-à-vis its ties with Thailand is the huge trade deficit
in bilateral trade with that country. In the scheme of Nepal-Thailand cooperation,
addressing this trade deficit must be a priority. Officials from both countries must sit
together, as Mr. Sinawatra has suggested, to address this issue in the best interest of
both the countries. Nepalese officials now must follow it up with an approach to the Thai
government officials to discuss how the current balance of trade could be a more balanced
one.
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