Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita on Friday, 28 August called on Thongsavanh Phomvihane, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Laos, during his official visit to Vientiane. The meeting marked a key diplomatic touchpoint as India and Laos celebrate 70 years of formal bilateral relations.

What Was Conveyed at the Meeting

Margherita conveyed greetings from External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and reaffirmed India's commitment to deepening the India-Laos partnership. In a post on X after the meeting, he described the engagement as an opportunity to underscore “warm and friendly ties” and a shared vision for “progress and prosperity.”

The bilateral relationship, now entering its eighth decade, has grown from a development-focused partnership to one that encompasses strategic, cultural, and economic dimensions. India and Laos are also increasingly aligned as partners within the broader Global South framework.

Joint Seminar on Seven Decades of Ties

Earlier in the day, MoS Margherita addressed senior officials of the Laos Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other dignitaries at a joint seminar titled 'India and Lao PDR at 70: From Development Partnership to Comprehensive Partnership'. The event was jointly organised by the Institute of Foreign Affairs of Laos and the Embassy of India in Vientiane.

In his address, Margherita highlighted the historical depth of the bilateral relationship, built on mutual trust, and pointed to expanding cooperation between the two nations. He also emphasised the significant opportunities for collaboration in the years ahead, particularly within the Global South context.

Cultural Engagements During the Visit

Beyond diplomatic meetings, MoS Margherita visited the iconic That Luang in Vientiane, one of the most revered symbols of Laos's cultural and spiritual identity. He also visited the Patuxay Monument, a prominent war memorial honouring those who fought for Laos's independence from French colonial rule.

These visits are seen as a gesture of respect for Laotian heritage and reflect India's broader people-to-people and civilisational diplomacy in Southeast Asia.

Significance of the 70-Year Milestone

The visit comes at a symbolically significant moment. India and Laos established diplomatic relations 70 years ago, and the anniversary provides both sides an occasion to recalibrate the relationship. Notably, India has been deepening its Act East Policy engagements across the ASEAN region, and Laos — as a landlocked nation in mainland Southeast Asia — represents a strategic node in India's connectivity and development partnership ambitions.

The two countries are expected to continue building on this milestone with new frameworks for cooperation in the coming months.