Vientiane, Oct 12: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with H.E. Mr. Sonexay Siphandone, the Prime Minister of Lao PDR, in Vientiane on Friday. During the meeting, PM Modi congratulated Siphandone for successfully hosting the 21st ASEAN-India and 19th East Asia Summits.
The discussions focused on enhancing the civilizational and contemporary relationships between India and Laos. Both leaders explored avenues for collaboration in various fields, including development partnerships, capacity building, disaster management, renewable energy, heritage restoration, economic ties, defence cooperation, and fostering people-to-people connections.
PM Siphandone expressed appreciation for India’s flood relief assistance provided to Lao PDR in the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi. They highlighted the importance of the ongoing restoration project at Vat Phou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, supported by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
The Prime Ministers acknowledged their countries’ strong cooperation in regional and multilateral forums, with Siphandone reiterating India’s significant role in supporting Lao PDR’s ASEAN chairmanship for 2024.
Following their discussions, several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements were signed in key sectors, including defence, broadcasting, and customs cooperation. Three Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) under the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation were also established. These projects aim to preserve the heritage of the Lao Ramayan, restore the Wat Pakea Buddhist temple with Ramayan-themed murals, and support shadow puppetry theatre in Champasak province, each with a Government of India grant of approximately USD 50,000.
Furthermore, India will contribute around USD 1 million to enhance nutrition security in Lao PDR, marking the first initiative of the India UN Development Partnership Fund in Southeast Asia.
