External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday said India values Thailand as a “long-time friend” and a “very important” maritime neighbour, and asserted that amid a rapidly-evolving geopolitical and geoeconomic environment, New Delhi believes a regular exchange of views on pressing issues is very useful.

Jaishankar made the comments in his opening remarks at a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, here.

The Thai foreign minister is visiting India from November 28-December 2, the Ministry of External Affairs earlier said.

Jaishankar welcomed Phuangketkeow on his first official visit to India as the foreign minister of Thailand.

“We had a meeting (earlier) in Kuala Lumpur on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit, and had agreed that we should meet for a more detailed discussion,” Jaishankar said.