(KPL) On 28 August 2026, the Institute of Foreign Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Embassy of India to the Lao PDR, jointly organised a lecture under the theme: "Lao PDR and India at 70: From Development Partnership to Comprehensive Partnership".

This lecture was one of the activities commemorating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Lao PDR and India (2 February 1956 –2026) and was held on the occasion of the official visit and working trip to the Lao PDR by Mr Shri Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State for External Affairs of India.

The event was attended by more than 60 participants from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the LPRP Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations, and various related ministries.

The opening ceremony was presided over by Mr Maythong Thammavongsa, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, who expressed appreciation and high regard for the long-standing traditional relations between the two countries, which are built upon a foundation of cooperation and fine friendship.

Following the opening remarks, participants listened to a lecture delivered by Mr Shri Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State for External Affairs of India. He reviewed and highly evaluated the achievements of bilateral cooperation over the past 70 years, characterising the relationship as one of friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation.

This is reflected in the successes and outcomes of bilateral cooperation across various fields, notably human resource capacity building, the preservation and continuation of fine cultural and religious traditions, and active participation in regional and international multilateral frameworks—including ASEAN and the United Nations—especially amidst the rapidly changing, complex, and unpredictable regional and international landscape.

Over the past 70 years, Laos and India have established and maintained diplomatic relations rooted in tradition up to the present day, with bilateral ties continuously expanding, developing, and yielding concrete results. Looking ahead, both sides have expressed their joint commitment to elevating their cooperation from a development partnership to a comprehensive partnership.

This lecture serves as an important milestone in evaluating past bilateral relations as well as future cooperation directions, contributing significantly to the celebration of the 70th anniversary of Lao-Indian diplomatic relations while providing valuable information and insights to all participants.

KPL