Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavan Phomvihane (right) warmly welcomes Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Shri Pabitra Margherita.

Indian minister wraps up Laos visit, deepens 70 years of diplomatic ties

Indian Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles Shri Pabitra Margherita concluded an official visit to Laos on August 29, highlighting the deepening partnership as the two countries celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations.
The two-day visit from August 28-29, centred in Vientiane with a stop in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Luang Prabang, featured high-level talks, cultural inaugurals, development project reviews, and exchanges aimed at elevating Laos-India ties from a development partnership to a more comprehensive relationship, according to the Indian Embassy to Laos.
The minister held official bilateral discussions with Lao Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Anouparb Vongnorkeo covering cooperation in defence, development, digital technology, health, economic and cultural fields.
Mr Margherita posted on his X, saying the interaction with Mr Anouparb was an engaging meeting, when both sides discussed strengthening people-to-people linkages and cooperation in multilateral fora.
The Indian minister also called on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavan Phomvihane, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence General Khamlieng Outhakaysone.
During talks with General Khamlieng, Mr Margherita said on X that both sides exchanged views on further strengthening defence ties, focusing on capacity building and training initiatives.
A highlight of the visit was the inauguration of the Ramayana theatre project in Vientiane, funded through grant assistance from the Government of India.
In Luang Prabang, Mr Margherita witnessed the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding between the governments of India and Laos on the joint preservation of murals at Pa Khae temple. The project, also supported by Indian grant assistance, is being implemented by the Indira Gandhi National Centre of Arts (IGNCA).
He further inspected Quick Impact Project sites in the city.
During his visit, the Minister addressed a joint seminar titled “India-Lao PDR at 70: From Development Partnership to Comprehensive Partnership”, highlighting the longstanding mutually supportive relations and the potential for stronger collaboration.
He interacted with stakeholders from the textile and tourism sectors, exploring avenues to enhance bilateral trade, promote sustainable tourism, and revive traditional textile links.
“Our shared and rich civilisational heritage offers immense potential to boost economic synergy, create livelihoods, and deepen business-to-business (B2B) connections,” Minister Margherita said on his X. He also interacted with ICCR and ITEC alumni.
Addressing the Indian community in Laos, the minister recognised their contributions to strengthening the close and friendly ties between Laos and India as well as their contribution to Laos’ economy and society.
India and Laos share longstanding historical and civilisational links rooted in Buddhism and the Ramakien (the Lao version of the Ramayana).
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1956, India and Laos have maintained close, friendly and mutually supportive ties.
The 2026 visit reinforces India’s Act East policy engagement with Southeast Asia and Laos’ role as a valued partner in the region.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update September 2, 2026)