New Thai PM requests closer ties and thanks Modi for his welcome

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the recently elected prime minister of Thailand, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday for his congratulations on her recent election win.

"Thank you PM Narendra Modi for your warm congratulatory message," Paetongtarn Shinawatra posted in a post on the social networking platform X.

"I am eager to collaborate closely with you to enhance our mutually beneficial relationship, particularly in the domains of commerce and investment, culture, interpersonal communication, and tourism—particularly to boost air travel between our two nations," she added in her letter.

The recently elected prime minister of India expressed her optimism for further enhancing the two countries' bilateral ties by saying, "I am confident that we can build upon our existing ties and explore untapped potentials to create even greater opportunities for our two countries, peoples, and beyond."

PM Modi had already congratulated Paetongtarn Shinawatra on winning.

"Paetongtarn Shinawatra, congratulations on being elected as Thailand's prime minister. Warmest wishes for an incredibly fruitful term. In a post on X, he expressed his excitement about collaborating with you to further fortify the bilateral connections between Thailand and India, which are built on the solid foundations of shared culture, civilization, and people.

On August 16, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, 37, was chosen to serve as Thailand's prime minister, becoming the country's second-youngest female leader ever. She becomes the third member of the Shinawatra family to hold the office of prime minister of Thailand, following in the footsteps of her father and aunt.

Her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, served as the nation's youngest and first female prime minister for more than 60 years before being ousted from office on May 7, 2014, according to a ruling by the Constitutional Court.

Paetongtarn Following Srettha Thavisin's expulsion from office on August 14 due to an ethical violation case, Shinawatra was elected. Paetongtarn is a member of the Pheu Thai Party, as is former prime minister Srettha Thavisin. In the elections held in 2023, Shinawatra came in second.