Indian Ambassador to Laos Dinkar Asthana

(KPL) Indian Ambassador to Laos Dinkar Asthana hosted a reception to celebrate 75 years of its independence in Vientiane on Aug 15. 

In contemporary times, the role played by India as Chairman of the International Commission for Supervision and Control on Indo-China has also reinforced ties. 

To mark the 75th Anniversary of Independence of India, in the morning of 15 August 2022, a Flag Hoisting Ceremony was held at the Embassy of India premises. The Ambassador of India to the Lao PDR Dinkar Asthana read the address of the President of India Mrs. Droupadi Murmu to the nation.

“India became independent on August 15, 1947 and immediately after, it began establishing diplomatic relations with countries across the world. India and the Lao PDR established diplomatic relations on 02 February 1956 and both countries marked 65 years of establishment of diplomatic relations in 2021. The close friendly and mutually supportive relations between India and Lao PDR go back long into history and are based upon deep cultural, religious and people-to-people linkages, as ancient civilizations,” said Indian Ambassador to Laos Dinkar.

Minister of State for External Affairs (MOS), Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh paid an official visit to Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) from 22-26 June 2022. During the visit, MOS had a meeting with Mr. Bounleua Phandanouvong, Deputy Foreign Minister of Lao PDR, and paid courtesy calls on Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith, Foreign Minister; Mrs. Suanesavanh Vignaket, Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, and Mr. Phet Phomphiphak, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry. MOS also met the Governor of Champassak Province, during his visit to the Champassak province.

MOS, along with Mr. Phouth Simmalavong, Minister of Education and Sports of Lao PDR, inaugurated a grant project involving construction of a dormitory within the premises of Laos-India Entrepreneurship Development Centre. MOS, along with. Mr. Kykeo Singnavong, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of the Lao PDR, also inaugurated another grant project—promotion of cultivation of green cardamom in Paksong district of Champassak province.  MOS, along with Mr. Phet Phomphiphak, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of Lao PDR participated in groundbreaking ceremony of an irrigation project being implemented under Indian Lines of Credit (LOC).

The visit provided an opportunity to review the entire gamut of bilateral relations and gave further impetus to the bilateral relations.       

In India, there is a Wat Lao (Monastery of the Lao PDR) in Bodh Gaya (Buddhagaya)  established in December 2011, about 1.5 km from Mahabodhi Temple the place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.

The Flag Hoisting Ceremony was attended by President of Lao-India Friendship Association Southam Sakonhninhom and 100 people including members of Indian Diaspora and Lao Friends of India.

KPL