New Delhi, June 2: Laos Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane has arrived in India for an official visit from June 1 to June 3. This marks his first trip to India.
The Ministry of External Affairs welcomed him on the social media platform X, stating, “A warm welcome to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane on his first visit to India. He will co-chair the 10th India-Laos Joint Commission Meeting with Dr. S. Jaishankar. India and Laos are celebrating 70 years of diplomatic relations. This visit will further enhance the longstanding partnership between India and Laos and deepen cooperation in areas of mutual interest.”
Accompanying the Deputy Prime Minister is his wife, Vatsana Phomvihane. This visit highlights the growing ties between India and Laos and is expected to provide an opportunity to review cooperation and explore new avenues for partnership.
During his visit, Thongsavanh Phomvihane will co-chair the 10th India-Laos Joint Commission Meeting with India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar. The meeting is anticipated to assess the progress in bilateral relations and discuss cooperation in various sectors, including trade, connectivity, development partnership, capacity building, and regional matters.
The Joint Commission Meeting serves as a key mechanism for reviewing and advancing relations between India and Laos. This visit underscores both countries’ commitment to strengthening diplomatic engagement and enhancing cooperation under India’s Act East Policy and its broader engagement framework with Southeast Asia.
The relationship between India and Laos PDR (Lao People’s Democratic Republic) has historically been strong in cultural and diplomatic aspects. The foundation of their ties is based on Buddhism, shared cultural heritage, and traditional friendship. India established diplomatic relations with Laos in 1956, and since then, cooperation between the two nations has steadily increased.
Laos is a significant partner in India’s Act East Policy. The two countries collaborate in defense, education, health, capacity building, digital technology, and development cooperation. India supports human resource development in Laos through various training programs, scholarships, and technical assistance.
As a member of ASEAN, Laos plays a crucial role in India’s regional strategy. Efforts to enhance trade and investment between the two nations are ongoing. Additionally, India has provided assistance for several development projects in Laos, particularly in water resources, agriculture, and information technology.
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