Sushma Swaraj arrives in Thailand for World Sanskrit Conference

From Anand Mishra
Bangkok

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today arrived here for the 16th World Sanskrit Conference beginning tomorrow in which over 600 scholars from 60 countries will participate.

She will also co-chair India-Thailand joint commission meeting during which the countries will sign a double taxation avoidance treaty and exchange instruments of ratification on the extradition treaty signed between them in 2013.

While Swaraj will be the guest of honour during the inaugural ceremony of 16th world conference tomorrow, Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani will attend its concluding ceremony on July 2.

Swaraj, the guest of honour at the event, will deliver her speech in Sanskrit. The two countries will also sign an MoU on establishment of Nalanda University.

A significant development during Swaraj’s two-day visit here will be the signing of an MoU on the establishment of an Ayurveda Chair in one of the Thai Universities.

During the visit, Swaraj will also meet Indian business leaders and hold interaction with academicians.

She will have an audience with Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, a scholar of Sanskrit and Royal Patron of the World Sanskrit Conference.

On Monday, Swaraj will call on the Thai political leadership.

She will meet Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thai government Gen Tanasak Patimapragorn.

On her arrival here, Swaraj was received by Chalit Manityakul, Ambassador of Thailand, and senior officials from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.

Coinciding with the Conference, Doordarshan will launch a weekly news programme in Sanskrit in India.

Promotion of Sanskrit has been a focus area of the NDA government ever since it came to power in 2014.

PTI