Narendra Modi, Prime Minister (PM) of India, visited Vientiane, the capital of Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR or Laos), from 10th to 11th October 2024 at the invitation of Sonexay Siphandone, PM of Lao, to strengthen the bilateral relations between India and Laos.
Highlights of PM Modi’s 2 day visit to Laos:
i.During his visit to Laos, PM Modi attended the 21st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-India Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit, hosted by Laos, the current Chair of ASEAN.
ii.PM Modi met with Thongloun Sisoulith, President of Lao PDR in Vientiane on 11th October 2024.
iii.He also held bilateral talks with PM Sonexay Siphandone in Vientiane.
21st ASEAN-India Summit:
i.The ASEAN-India Summit reviewed the progress of India-ASEAN relations through their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and how to enhance it in future.
- The member States of ASEAN, founded in 1967, are Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam, Laos, Cambodia, Brunei Darussalam and Myanmar.
ii.To realize the full potential of the ASEAN-India partnership, a new ASEAN-India Plan of Action (2026-2030) was agreed to be created.
iii.Two joint statements were also adopted during the summit.
- Joint Statement on Strengthening ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace, Stability and Prosperity in the Region based on the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) with the support of India’s Act East Policy (AEP) –India’s Act East Policy will play a vital role in advancing the partnership between ASEAN and India.
- ASEAN-India Joint Statement on Advancing Digital Transformation Leaders- ASEAN partnered with India to enhance digital public infrastructure.
PM Modi announces celebrating 2025 as ASEAN-India Year of Tourism, allocates USD 5 mn for joint initiatives
i.India has announced that it will contribute USD 5 million towards the joint cooperative activities for the development of tourism across the ASEAN region.
- This financial support will also support in building tourism infrastructure and promotional activities across ASEAN and India, benefiting both regions.
ii.It was also announced that year 2025 will be celebrated as the year of the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism to further strengthen the growing relationship between India and ASEAN nations. It will develop deeper tourism connections, cultural exchange, and economic ties across the region.
- This year also marks 10 years of India’s Act East Policy.
PM Modi Announced 10-Point Action Plan:
PM Modi announced a 10-point plan to deepen India’s friendship with ASEAN in alignment with the theme of Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience-
i.Celebrating the year 2025 as ASEAN-India Year of Tourism for which India will contribute USD 5 million towards joint activities.
ii.Celebrating a decade of the Act East Policy through several people-centric activities, including a youth summit, a start-up festival, a hackathon, a music festival, building on an ASEAN-India network of think tanks and the Delhi Dialogue.
iii.An ASEAN-India women scientists’ conclave will be organized under the ASEAN-India Science and Technology Development Fund.
iv.Number of scholarships will be doubled at Nalanda University and a provision of new scholarships will be made available for ASEAN students at the Agricultural Universities in India.
v.The ASEAN-India Trade and Goods Agreement will be reviewed by 2025.
vi. India would contribute an additional USD 5 million to enhance disaster resilience.
vii.A new health ministers’ track will be introduced to build health resilience.
viii.A regular mechanism of ASEAN-India cyber policy dialogue will be initiated to strengthen digital and cyber resilience.
ix.A workshop on green hydrogen is planned to be organized.
x. All ASEAN leaders will be invited to join the ‘Plant a Tree for Mother’ campaign towards building climate resilience.
Myanmar sent Representatives to ASEAN summit for 1st time in 3 years
Myanmar sent its representative to the ASEAN summit for the first time in three years due to their inability to put an end to a conflict between military and pro-democracy forces and thus to discuss efforts to restore calm in Myanmar.
- ASEAN barred Myanmar’s junta leaders from its summits due to their February 2021 revolt, and the generals have refused to send “non-political representatives” instead.
19th East Asia Summit (EAS):
ii.The East Asia Summit (EAS) provided a chance for the leaders of the participating countries, including India, to share their views on issues of regional importance and measures to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
- The East Asia Summit comprises the 10 ASEAN countries and eight partners – Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Russia and the United States. Timor-Leste has the observer status at the EAS.
India & Laos signed MoUs/ Agreements Across Various Fields:
India and Laos signed several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements in various fields like defence cooperation, customs, audio-visual, and preservation of heritage.
- The MoUs were exchanged in the presence of PM Modi and PM Sonexay Siphandone in Vientiane, Lao PDR.
Details of the MoUs & Agreements:
i.An MoU was signed between the Ministry of Defense, the government of India (GoI) and the Ministry of National Defense of Laos to strengthen Defense Cooperation between India and Laos.
- Signatories: The MoU was signed by Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of Defence, GoI and General Chansamone Chanyalath, Deputy PM and Minister of National Defence, Lao PDR.
ii.An MoU on Cooperation of Broadcasting was signed between Lao National Television, the Ministry of Information Culture and Tourism of Lao PDR and Prasar Bharati, an Indian state-owned public broadcaster.
- Signatories- The MoU was signed by Prashant Agrawal, Ambassador of India to Lao PDR and Amkha Vongmeunka, General Director of Lao National TV.
iii.The Government of Laos and the GoI signed an agreement for the Co-operation and Mutual Assistance in customs-related matters.
- Signatories: The MoU was signed by Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Chairman, Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs and Phoukhaokham Vannavongxay, Director General Customs, Ministry of Finance, Lao PDR.
Noted Announcements:
India and Laos announced the implementation of several Quick Impact Projects (QIPs).
i.QIPs on the preservation of the heritage of performing art of Phalak-Phalam (Lao Ramayana) drama in Luang Prabang Province.
- Signatories: Prashant Agrawal and Soudaphone Khomthavong, Director of Luang Prabang Department of Information.
ii.QIP on Renovation of Wat Phakea Temple in Luang Prabang Province
- Signatories: Prashant Agrawal and Soudaphone Khomthavong, Director of Luang Prabang Department of Information.
iii.QIP on Preservation of Shadow Puppet Theatre’s Performance in Champasak Province
- Signatories: Prashant Agrawal and Somsack Phomchalean, President of Champasak Sadao Puppets Theater, Office at Ban.
Note: India also announced a project to improve nutrition security in Lao PDR through food fortification by providing USD 1 million in assistance through the India-UN Development Partnership Fund.
About Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR)
Prime Minister – Sonexay Siphandone
Capital – Vientiane
Currency – Laotian Kip
About the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Secretary–General – Kao Kim Hourn
Headquarters – Jakarta, Indonesia
Founded – August 1967
Member States– 10
