Lao Deputy PM Calls on President Murmu

• Lao Deputy Prime Minister Thongsavan Phomvihane meets President Droupadi Murmu
• Leaders mark 70 years of diplomatic relations between India and Laos
• India offers deeper cooperation in ICT, healthcare, agriculture and renewable energy
• Both sides stress stronger trade, investment and development partnership

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 3rd June: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), Thongsavan Phomvihane, called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation across a range of sectors.

Welcoming Phomvihane on his first visit to India, President Murmu highlighted the deep civilizational links between India and Laos, rooted in the shared heritage of Buddhism and the Ramayana.

She noted that 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, describing it as a significant milestone in bilateral ties.

The President recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lao PDR in October 2024 for ASEAN-related summits, during which several agreements were signed, providing fresh momentum to cooperation between the two nations.

Murmu said that while bilateral trade has registered growth in recent years, there remains substantial potential to further expand trade and investment ties.

She expressed India’s willingness to broaden cooperation with Laos in areas including information and communication technology (ICT), healthcare, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, irrigation, manufacturing, renewable energy and electricity.

The President also conveyed India’s interest in sharing its experience in innovation, digital technologies and the knowledge-based economy.

Highlighting the growing development partnership between the two countries, Murmu said bilateral cooperation is increasingly aligned with the aspirations of Lao youth and the country’s socio-economic development priorities.

The two leaders also discussed ways to deepen people-to-people exchanges and strengthen collaboration under India’s Act East policy framework.

According to the President, closer cooperation between India and Laos has the potential to deliver significant benefits to the people of both countries.

Both sides agreed to continue working together to enhance bilateral engagement and further strengthen the longstanding friendship between the two nations.

India and Laos maintain close ties through cultural exchanges, development cooperation, capacity-building initiatives and collaboration in regional forums, including ASEAN-led mechanisms.