Recently, the Prime Minister of India had a telephonic conversation with the Prime Minister of Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) where the two leaders exchanged views on the entire spectrum of bilateral relations. The two leaders exchanged views on the health and economic challenges posed by the global Covid-19 pandemic. They agreed on the need for international cooperation, and for sharing of best-practices and experiences, in order to prepare for the post-Covid world.
The two countries with their shared historical and civilizational foundation have over the years nurtured mutually supportive relations and stood by each other in times of need. Political relations between both the countries were established in February 1956. Laos has been supportive on major issues of regional and international concerns to India, including India’s claim for permanent membership of the UN Security Council.
India and Laos have bilateral defense cooperation for more than two decades now under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Agreement, 1994. ITEC is a bilateral scheme among developing countries for providing technical support to promote economically. Indian Army had also conducted three training capsules on Unexploded Ordnance (Bomb) (UXOs) and De-mining in Laos in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
India has supported development of Laos by extending Lines of Credit for infrastructure projects in the fields of transmission line, hydropower project, conversion of diesel to electric driven pump sets, and irrigation projects. Bilateral trade between both the nations in 2017-18 has reached to 193.63 US million dollars. Although the trade balance is heavily shifted in favour of Laos.
The vibrant culture of the country with its vibrant colours, the heavy influence of Indian art and architecture have survived. The two countries share age-old civilisational ties best symbolised by the relic of the Buddha encased in the That Luang Stupa, the national emblem of Lao PDR.
Human Resource Development (HRD) is a prominent area of cooperation between India and Laos. The Government of India has been providing nearly 140 scholarships annually to Lao nationals under various schemes, including Vocational Trainees, Teachers/Experts in Health & Allied Sectors and Young Professional Programme for short term training programmes in India.