India, April 3 -- India and Thailand on Thursday upgraded their relations to a strategic partnership as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Thai counterpart Paetongtarn Shinawatra explored ways to enhance trade and investment and bolster cooperation in defence, security and countering cyber-crimes and human trafficking.

The two leaders met in Bangkok a day ahead of the Bimstec Summit to be hosted by Thailand on Friday. Thailand is among India's key partners in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and bilateral defence and security cooperation has grown steadily within the framework of India's "Act East" policy.

Modi conveyed India's deepest condolences for the loss of lives in the earthquake that hit Myanmar and Thailand ...