DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND FOREIGN MINISTER OF LAO PDR CALLS ON THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA

**Summary of the Meeting Between the President of India and the Deputy Prime Minister of Lao PDR** On June 3, 2026, H.E. Mr. Thongsavan Phomvihane, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Lao PDR, conducted his first official visit to India and met with the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, at Rashtrapati Bhavan. **Key Highlights and Bilateral Relations:** * **Diplomatic Milestone:** The meeting marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Lao PDR. * **Civilizational Ties:** The President emphasized the deep-rooted historical and cultural connections between the two nations, specifically their shared heritage in Buddhism and the Ramayana. * **Recent Momentum:** The President referenced Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s October 2024 visit to Lao PDR for the ASEAN-related Summits, which resulted in several agreements that have strengthened bilateral cooperation. * **Economic Cooperation:** While bilateral trade has seen growth, both leaders acknowledged significant remaining potential for expansion in trade and investment. **Future Areas of Cooperation:** The President identified several key sectors for expanded collaboration, including: * Information and Communication Technology (ICT) * Health and Medicine * Agriculture and Irrigation * Manufacturing * Renewable Energy and Electricity * Innovation and the Knowledge-based Economy **Development Partnership:** The President noted that the development partnership is increasingly aligned with the socio-economic needs of Lao PDR and the aspirations of its youth. Both leaders concluded that enhanced cooperation would provide substantial benefits to the citizens of both countries. **Administrative Details:** * **Date of Release:** June 3, 2026 * **Release ID:** 2268585 * **Visitor Count:** 674 * **Reference Code:** MJPS/SS/PRK * **Available Languages:** Urdu, Hindi, Gujarati, Malayalam

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