Thongsavan Phomvihane, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Lao, has arrived in India to co-chair the 10th India–Lao PDR Joint Commission Meeting. This visit marks his first to India, aimed at strengthening the diplomatic ties between the two countries. The Ministry of External Affairs welcomed him, highlighting the 70 years of diplomatic relations between India and Lao PDR.
The previous Joint Commission Meeting on Bilateral Cooperation between Lao and India took place in Vientiane, Lao PDR, on 23 November 2018. During a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Lao Sonexay Siphandone in October 2024, discussions included India’s flood relief assistance to Lao PDR post-Typhoon Yagi. The leaders also acknowledged the collaborative efforts in restoring and conserving Vat Phou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with Indian assistance.
Both Prime Ministers expressed satisfaction with the strong cooperation in regional and multilateral forums. They exchanged MoUs/Agreements in defense, broadcasting, Customs cooperation, and initiated three Quick Impact Projects under the Mekong–Ganga Cooperation. These projects focus on preserving Lao Ramayan heritage, restoring Wat Pakea Buddhist temple, and supporting a shadow puppetry theatre in Champasak province, each receiving USD 50,000 in grant assistance from the Government of India.
