Laos, India vow to deepen relations, cooperation

News Desk
Vientiane Times
Publication Date : 13-09-2010

The Lao and Indian presidents have pledged to continue bilateral assistance and support for the mutual benefit of the people of their nations, according to a press release from the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Lao President Choummaly Sayasone and his visiting Indian counterpart Pratibha Devisingh Patil held bilateral talks on Friday(September 10) at the Presidential Palace in Vientiane. “Both sides affirmed continued mutual assistance and support to one another through both bilateral and multilateral cooperation frameworks on the regional and international stage to bring tangible benefits to the people of the two countries,” stated the press release. The meeting took place shortly after an official welcoming ceremony for Ms Patil was held at the National Assembly. President Patil and her delegation arrived in Vientiane on September 9 for a five-day state visit to Laos in response to an invitation from Mr Choummaly. Both presidents said they highly valued the traditional friendly relations and sound cooperation between the two countries over the 54 years since diplomatic ties between Laos and India were established on February 2, 1956. Both sides noted that top leaders and high-level officials of the two countries have maintained regular contact. The then Lao president Souphanouvong, and former prime ministers Khamtay Siphandone and Bounnhang Vorachit paid official visits to India in 1977, 1997 and 2003 respectively. President Choummaly also paid an official visit to India in 2008. Former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited Laos in 2002 and current Prime Minister Manmohan Singh paid an official visit in 2004. At the Friday meeting, the Lao side expressed heartfelt appreciation and thanks to the government and people of India for the assistance they have extended to Laos. The assistance includes provision of low interest rate loans, human resources development, exempting tariffs on goods imported from Laos, and relief supplies for victims of natural disasters. India has also assisted Laos in the fields of agriculture, science, and information technology. After the meeting, the two presidents attended a ceremony to witness the signing of an extension on a cultural exchange agreement between Laos and India for 2011-2013. Later, the two leaders, via video conference, jointly pressed a button to inaugurate a 115 kv transmission line electricity project in Champassak province. The 53 km long Pakxong-Chiangxai-bangyo double circuit transmission line project was financed by a soft loan provided by the government of India. The Indian leader and representatives of the Lao government attended a business forum with entrepreneurs from both nations, which aimed to provide information on potential investment opportunities for Indian entrepreneurs wishing to do business in Laos. President Patil also received courtesy calls from Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh and President of the Lao National Assembly Thongsing Thammavong. On the same day, the Indian president laid a wreath at the Unknown Soldier Monument. Also on Friday, the Lao president hosted a gala dinner reception in honour of Ms Patil. On September 11-12, Ms Patil visited the World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang.