LEAD: Thailand's first female premier to star at Indian celebration

Jan 24, 2012, 10:05 GMT

New Delhi - Thailand's first female prime minister arrived Tuesday in India, where she is to be the chief foreign guest at India's Republic Day celebrations.

'This is an important visit because I have been invited as an honoured guest,' Yingluck Shinawatra said prior to her departure from Bangkok.

India invites a government leader each year as its chief guest at its Republic Day celebration on January 26, which commemorates India's constitution, adopted in 1948.

While in India, Yingluck was to also discuss a framework for a free trade deal that could double bilateral trade by 2014. She was accompanied by several ministers, senior officials and a business delegation.

Yingluck was scheduled to hold delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and a luncheon meeting with business leaders Wednesday.

Last year, trade between the two nations amounted to 8.2 billion dollars, a 34.2-per-cent increase over 2010. Thailand's exports to India amounted to 5.2 billion dollars while imports from India amounted to 3 billion dollars, according to data compiled by Thailand's Commerce Ministry.

Thailand and India agreed to a partial free trade agreement in 2004. This year, the two countries aim to conclude a more comprehensive agreement on liberalizing trade, services and investments.

There had been a steady expansion of trade and investment ties between the two countries and in cooperation in defence and security, a statement from India's Foreign Ministry said. Yingluck's visit would provide momentum to the relationship, it said.

Yingluck was scheduled to visit Agra late Tuesday to see the Taj Mahal.

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