India-Laos Relations India has enjoyed longstanding, friendly and mutually supportive relations with Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR). This relationship is based upon profound historical and civilizational foundations. Lao PDR admires the historic role played by India in Indochina towards promoting national liberation movements, the independence of colonized countries and the safeguarding of the newly acquired freedom. Pandit Nehru displayed considerable sensitivity and support for Laos when the latter found itself torn between foreign intervention, cold-war machinations and internal conflict. He paid a visit to Laos in 1954, which was later reciprocated by Lao leaders. The role played by India as Chairman of the International Commission for Supervision and Control (ICSC) on Indo-China is still appreciated and remembered with gratitude by the Lao leadership. Political: There exist excellent political relations between India and Lao PDR. On account of this, the Lao PDR has been supportive of major issues of regional and international concerns to India, including our claim for permanent membership of the UN Security Council. At the 59th session of the UNGA, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Somsavat Lengsavad, Leader of the Lao delegation, clearly articulated Lao PDR’s support for an expanded UNSC that would include India. In 2010, Laos supported India’s candidatures for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the term 2011-2013, and Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) for the term 2011-13 in New York in November, 2010. India won these elections. Diplomatic Relations: Diplomatic relations between Government of India and the Government of Laos were established in February 1956. The 55th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries was celebrated during February 2011- February 2012. The First Foreign Office Consultations between India and Lao PDR were held in Vientiane on May 2, 2012. The Indian side was led by Shri Sanjay Singh, Secretary (East) and the Laos side was led by Mr. Bounkeut Sangsomsak, Vice Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lao PDR. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Laos, a number of high-level visits have taken place between the two countries which include: Visits from India The first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru visited Laos in 1954. 1 The first President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad visted Laos in 1956. Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee, the then Prime Minister of India visited Laos in 2002. Dr. Manmohan Singh, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India visited Laos in 2004 to attend ASEAN Summit. Hon’ble The President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil paid a State visit to Laos in September 2010. Hon’ble Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Water Resources Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal visited Laos in June, 2010. Shri Neiphu Rio, Chief Minister of Nagaland visited Laos in September 2010. Gen. V.K. Singh, Chief of Army Staff of India visited Laos in December 2011. Shri Salman Khurshid, Hon’ble External Affairs Minister of India visited Laos from November 4-7, 2012 to participate in the ASEM-9 Summit. Separately, during his visit he also held bilateral meetings with his counterpart H.E. Dr. Thongloun Sisoulith, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister as well as with H.E. Mr. Thongsing Thammavong, Prime Minister of Lao PDR. Dr. K. Chiranjeevi, Hon’ble Minister of State for Tourism visited Laos to attend the ASEAN-India Tourism Ministers’ Meeting held in Vientiane on January 21, 2013. Shri Salman Khurshid, Hon’ble External Affairs Minister of India visited Laos from September 8-10, 2013 to participate in the 7th Lao-India Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) held on September 8th, 2013 and to inaugurate the 2nd ASEAN-India Network Think Tanks Meeting held in Vientiane on September 10th, 2013. During his visit he also paid courtesy calls on H.E. Mr. Thongsing Thammavong, Prime Minister of Lao PDR and H.E. Mr. Chommaly Sayasone, President of Lao PDR. Visits from Lao PDR Prince Souphanouvong, commonly known as the Red Prince visited India in 1975. In recent times, the President of the Lao PDR H.E. Mr. Choummaly Sayasone visited India in August 2008. A 15-member delegation led by the Deputy Prime and Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Dr.Thongloun Sisoulith, participated in the 6th India-Lao Joint Commission Meeting held in Delhi during January 2010. Minister of Finance H.E. Mr. Somdy Douangdy visited India for the India – LDCs Ministerial Meeting on “Harnessing the Positive Contribution of South-South Cooperation for Development of Least Developed Countries” in New Delhi in February 2011. Minister of Industry and Commerce H.E. Dr. Nam Viyaketh visited India for the First India-ASEAN Fair and Business Conclave in March 2011. Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Alounkeo Kittikhoun visited India in March 2011. 2 H.E. Dr. Thongloun Sisoulith, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister visited India to attend the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation Ministerial Meeting in New Delhi on September 4, 2012. H.E. Dr. Ankhom Tounalom, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment participated in the ASEAN-India Environment Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi on September 6-7, 2012. H.E. Mr. Viraphonh Viravong, Vice Minister for Energy and Mines attended the International Seminar on Energy Access held at New Delhi during October 9-10, 2012. H.E. Mr. Vilayvanh Phomkhe, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry led a 6-member delegation to attend the ASEAN-India Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting on October 17, 2012 in New Delhi. H.E. Dr. Nam Viyaketh, Minister of Industry and Commerce attended the 2nd ASEAN-India Business Forum held in New Delhi on December 18-19, 2012. H.E. Mr. Thongsing Thammavong, Prime Minister of Lao PDR attended the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit held in New Delhi on December 20-21, 2012. H.E. Heim Phommachak, Minister of Post & Telecommunication visited New Delhi and Bangalore from March 18-20, 2013. H.E. Dr. Thongloun Sisoulith, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister visited India to attend the 11th ASEM Foreign Ministers Meeting (ASEM FMM11) in New Delhi on November 11-12, 2013. H.E. Dr. Thongloun Sisoulith, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister visited India to attend the Delhi Dialogue-VI (DD-VI) in New Delhi on March 6-7, 2014. Economic and Commercial: Agreements: Lao PDR and India have signed several agreements over the past few years. These agreements lay down the essential framework for bilateral cooperation in matters relating to science, technology, economic cooperation and trade, as well as in defence and consular matters. Some recent agreements include: (i) A Cultural Exchange Programme for the years 2011-13 was signed in 2010. (ii) An MOU was signed with the Ministry of Information and Culture in May 2007 for the restoration of the world heritage site at Vat Phu. The work on the project began in June 2009. India will spend US$ 4.1 million (Rs. 18.49 crores) on the project over an eight year period. (iii) Since 1994, under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Agreement, an Indian Army Training Team conducts training for Lao defence personnel in English, 3 Computers and Basic Tactics. The Indian team is the only foreign training team besides the Vietnamese and the Chinese. (iv) An MoU on Agriculture Cooperation was signed in 2000. Under the MoU, a Biennial Working Plan is prepared for implementation. Projects under Lines of Credit: A number of projects have been supported through Indian Lines of Credit over the past few years. Some of the recent projects include: (i) In June 2004, India provided a Line of Credit of US$ 10 million for a 115 KV Transmission Line from Ban-Na in Champassak to Attapeu. The project was completed in 2006. (ii) In August 2008, during the visit of President Choummaly Sayasone, an agreement was signed to provide a US $ 33 million loan for 3 projects. WAPCOS is the project management consultant for these projects and Angelique International is the implementing agency. The three projects are: (a) Supply of equipment for rural electrification worth US $ 4 million. This was completed in September 2009. (b) The Paksong-Jiangxai-Bangyo transmission line project worth US $ 18 million. The project was commissioned on September 10, 2010 by the two Presidents. (c) The Nam Song 7.5 MW hydropower project worth US $ 11 million. The project completed in October/November, 2012 and inaugurated in February, 2013. (iii) A US $ 17.34 million loan agreed upon for the development of irrigation schemes in Champasak province, the agreement for which was signed in May 2009. WAPCOS is developing the project. US $ 440,000 has been disbursed. A contract worth US $ 4.3 million has been awarded to Kirloskar Brothers. Letter of award for the US $ 10.1 million project on development of six irrigation schemes in Champasak province to M/s Angelique International Limited by the Department of Irrigation, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry on March 24, 2011.The third component worth US $ 1.03 million is in the bidding stage. (iv) On September 13, 2010, a loan agreement between Exim Bank and the Ministry of Finance was signed in Vientiane in the presence of the two Presidents for a US $ 72.55 million loan for the following two projects: (i) 230 KV Double Circuit Transmission Line from Nabong to Thabok and sub stations worth US $ 34.68 million; and 4 (ii) (ii) 15 MW Nam Boun 2 Hydropower Project worth US $ 37.86 million. However, during the 7th Joint Commission Meeting on September 9, 2013 this project was substituted with the extension of Thabok and Nabong Sub-Stations to Thasala-Nam Gnung-Laksao, 115 KV Transmission Line and Sub-Stations for a total amount of US$ 35.25 million.