>Earth Ambassador at 13:26, 29 January 2021

2021-01-29T13:26:17Z

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{{Short description|1=Diplomatic relations between the Republic of India and the Lao People's Democratic Republic}}
{{Infobox bilateral relations
| map =India–Laos Locator.svg
| mission1 =Embassy of India, [[Vientiane]]
| mission2 =Embassy of Laos, [[New Delhi]]
| envoytitle1 =Indian Ambassador to Laos
| envoy1 =[[Dinkar Asthana]]
| envoytitle2 =Lao Ambassador to India
| envoy2 =[[Bounneme Chouanghom]]
|Indo-Lao|India|Laos}}
[[File:Prime Minister Narendra Modi (28917913423).jpg|thumb|Prime Ministers [[Narendra Modi]] and [[Thongloun Sisoulith]] meeting in September 2016.]]
'''India–Laos relations''' ({{Lang-hi|भारत-लाओस संबंध}}; {{Lang-lo|ການພົວພັນອິນເດຍ-ລາວ}}), also referred to as '''Indian-Lao relations''' or '''Indo-Lao relations''', are [[Bilateralism|bilateral relations]] between [[India]] and [[Laos]]. Relations between two nations were established in February 1956. First [[Prime Minister of India]] [[Jawaharlal Nehru]] visited Laos in 1954 while first [[President of India]] [[Rajendra Prasad]] visited Laos in 1956.<ref name="IndiaLao">{{cite web|url=http://indianembassylaos.org/eoi.php?id=Bilateral |title=PDR: Brief on India – Laos Bilateral Relations |publisher=The Embassy of India, Vientiane, LAO |access-date=2015-11-01}}</ref><ref name="Desai1965">{{cite book|author=Damodar Ramaji Sar Desai|title=India's Relations with Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia: 1954–1961|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FdZKmQEACAAJ|year=1965|publisher=[[University of California]]}}</ref> India considers Laos as strategically important in accordance with China's growing land-reclamation activities in the [[South China Sea]].<ref name="indiatimes1">{{cite news|author=IANS |date=August 11, 2015|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-08-11/news/65452754_1_south-china-sea-india-and-laos-cambodia |title=India shoring up ties with Asean: Hamid Ansari to visit three countries |newspaper=[[Times of India]] |access-date=2015-11-01}}</ref> Laos has been supportive to India's efforts to become a permanent member of the [[UN Security Council]].<ref name="dnaindia1">{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-pratibha-patil-embarks-on-visit-to-laos-and-cambodia-1435687 |title=Pratibha Patil embarks on visit to Laos and Cambodia |newspaper=[[Daily News & Analysis]]|date=2010-09-09 |access-date=2015-11-01}}</ref>

==Bilateral visits==
Since establishment of bilateral ties there has been numerous high level bilateral visits between India and Laos. Recent visit was by [[Vice-President of India]] [[Hamid Ansari]] in September 2015 where he signed 5 "quick impact projects".<ref name="indiatimes1"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/vice-president-hamid-ansari-embarks-on-visit-to-cambodia-laos-1217766 |title=Vice President Hamid Ansari Embarks on Visit to Cambodia, Laos |publisher=[[NDTV]] |date=2015-09-15 |access-date=2015-11-01}}</ref> Then Indian Prime Minister [[Manmohan Singh]] visited Laos in 2004 for 10th [[ASEAN Summit]] where he met Laos PM [[Bounhang Vorachit]], agreements regarding 3rd India-ASEAN summit were signed between them.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Prime-Minister-Manmohan-Singhs-Laos-visis/articleshow/939776.cms |title=Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Laos visis |newspaper=Times of India |date=2004-11-29 |access-date=2015-11-01}}</ref> Indian PM Atal Bihari Vajpeyee visited Laos in 2002. Indian President [[Pratibha Patil]] visited Laos in 2010. High level visits from Laos to India were, Prince [[Souphanouvong]], who was the first President of Laos, visited India in 1975. In recent times Laos PM [[Choummaly Sayasone]] visited India in 2008. There are several other foreign minister and secretary level visits from each country to other.<ref name="IndiaLao"/><ref name="dnaindia1"/>

==Strategic ties==
On 3 day India visit of Laos President [[Choummaly Sayasone]] in 2008, India decided to establish an "Air Force Academy" in Laos. India also gifted 50 parachutes to "Lao Defence Forces" on its 60th anniversary in 2009. India held its [[Surya Kiran]] air show at Laos.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/india-to-set-up-air-force-academy-in-laos/355204/ |title=India to set up Air Force Academy in Laos |newspaper=[[Indian Express]] |date=2008-08-30 |access-date=2015-11-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/4035/suryakiran-team-dazzles-13th-anniversary.html |title=Suryakiran team dazzles at 13th anniversary airshow |work=Deccan Herald |date=2009-05-23 |access-date=2015-11-01}}</ref>

==Economic ties==
In 2013 at 7th "India-Lao Joint Commission Meeting" (JMC) India agrees to provide $66.15 million to Laos for irrigation and hydro power projects. This includes 4 irrigation projects in 3 provinces of Laos in addition to extension of Nam Boun-2 hydro power plant.<ref>{{cite web|author=PTI |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-09-09/news/41903547_1_vientiane-laos-bilateral-cooperation |title=India agrees to provide $66.15 million to Laos |date=9 September 2013 |newspaper=Times of India |access-date=2015-11-01}}</ref>

===Agreements===
There has been several agreements signed between India and Laos in last decade regarding issues related to science & technology, trade and culture.
* India will spend $4.11 million over 8 years for restoration of world heritage site of Laos at [[Vat Phou]] as per [[MoU]] signed on 2007. Project has been started on 2009.<ref name="IndiaLao"/>
* In 2010 visit of Indian President Pratibha Patil, a "Cultural Exchange Programme" for the year 2011–13 was signed between 2 nations.<ref name="IndiaLao"/>
* As per Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Agreement, since 1994, "Indian Army Training Team" conducts training sessions for Lao defence forces in some basic tactics along with English language and computers.<ref name="IndiaLao"/>

===Bilateral trade===
Metals, ores, machinery, electronic equipment, pharmaceuticals and timber are the main products traded between two nations. In 2008–09 bilateral trade between two nations was just $9.52 million which saw rapid growth in 2009–10 with trade of $37 million. However trade was again decreased in 2010–11 with $13.33 million. Since then trade was rapidly increased again to $167.49 million in 2012–13.<ref name="IndiaLao"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ficci.com/international/75141/Project_docs/Lao-PDR.pdf |title=Lao PDR |access-date=November 1, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702155715/http://ficci.com/international/75141/Project_docs/Lao-PDR.pdf |archive-date=July 2, 2014 }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Foreign relations of India}}
{{Foreign relations of Laos}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:India-Laos relations}}
[[Category:Bilateral relations of India|Laos]]
[[Category:Bilateral relations of Laos]]

India–Laos relations - Revision history

>Earth Ambassador at 13:26, 29 January 2021