Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in fruitful bilateral discussions with his Lao counterpart, Sonexay Siphandone, in Vientiane on 12 October. The talks focused on bolstering both civilisational and contemporary ties between India and Laos, encompassing a wide range of cooperation areas.

During their meeting, the two leaders addressed several critical aspects of their partnership, including development initiatives, capacity building, disaster management, renewable energy, heritage restoration, economic collaboration, defence ties, and enhancing people-to-people connections. This comprehensive dialogue reflects both nations’ commitment to deepening their relationship.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted that Prime Minister Siphandone expressed gratitude for India’s flood relief assistance following Typhoon Yagi, which had a significant impact on Laos. The leaders also acknowledged the ongoing restoration and conservation work at Vat Phou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, facilitated by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). This project is viewed as an integral part of the bilateral ties, underscoring the cultural and historical connections between the two nations.

PM Modi’s visit to Laos follows his participation in the 21st ASEAN-India and 19th East Asia Summits, where he congratulated Prime Minister Siphandone for successfully hosting these important regional gatherings. Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the close cooperation between India and Laos in various regional and multilateral forums. Siphandone reaffirmed India’s pivotal role on the international stage, particularly in supporting Laos’s Chairmanship of ASEAN for 2024.

Following their discussions, the two Prime Ministers witnessed the exchange of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements in key areas, including defence, broadcasting, customs cooperation, and three Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) under the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation framework. These QIPs aim to promote cultural heritage and support local communities in Laos.

The projects include:

  1. Preservation of Lao Ramayan Heritage: This initiative aims to safeguard the cultural narrative associated with the Ramayan in Laos.
  2. Restoration of Wat Pakea Buddhist Temple: This project focuses on restoring the temple, which features significant murals depicting scenes from the Ramayan.
  3. Support for Shadow Puppetry Theatre: This initiative will enhance the traditional art of shadow puppetry related to the Ramayan in Champasak province.

Each of these QIPs is supported by a Government of India grant of approximately USD 50,000. Additionally, India will provide about USD 1 million to enhance nutrition security in Lao PDR through the India UN Development Partnership Fund. Notably, this project will be the Fund’s first initiative in Southeast Asia.

The recent talks between Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Siphandone signify a strong commitment to advancing the India-Laos relationship across various domains. The focus on cultural heritage, disaster relief, and developmental aid reflects the depth of ties shared between the two nations, which continue to evolve and strengthen through mutual cooperation and understanding.