Mr Thongsavanh Phomvihane (left) and Dr S. Jaishankar display signed agreements during the 10th Joint Commission Meeting on Bilateral Cooperation in New Delhi.

Laos, India boost defence and health ties on 70th anniversary

Laos and India signed defence, health and cultural agreements in New Delhi on Wednesday to deepen cooperation between the two countries.
The agreements were signed during the 10th Joint Commission Meeting on Bilateral Cooperation, held from June 1-3. The talks were co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Thongsavanh Phomvihane, and India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr S. Jaishankar.
According to the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two sides signed an agreement on defence cooperation and the management of the Indian Army Training Team at the Kaysone Phomvihane Academy of National Defence.
They also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in pharmacopoeia between the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission and the Food and Drug Department of the Lao Ministry of Health.
In addition, Laos and India agreed on a Cultural Exchange Programme for 2026-2030 and launched a logo marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr Thongsavanh said the visit reflected the longstanding friendship between Laos and India.
He said the friendship between the two nations was based on a long history of cultural, religious and people-to-people ties, as well as mutual trust and understanding between their governments and peoples.
Mr Thongsavanh said the meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to review progress in bilateral cooperation since the 9th Joint Commission Meeting held in Vientiane in 2018.
“This year, we should continue to chart our future direction that brings tangible benefit to our two nations,” he was quoted as saying.
He noted that relations had continued to grow over the past 70 years, supported by regular high-level visits and increasing cooperation in regional and international forums.
Dr Jaishankar welcomed Mr Thongsavanh on what he described as his first visit to India and congratulated him on his appointment as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
He said India and Laos shared close civilisational ties rooted in Buddhism and the Ramayana, as well as deep cultural and people-to-people links.
He recalled his visit to Laos during the country’s chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2024 and noted that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also visited Laos in October that year.
During his official visit, Mr Thongsavanh Phomvihane also paid a courtesy call on the President of India, Mrs Droupadi Murmu.
Mr Thongsavanh conveyed warm greetings from President Thongloun Sisoulith and briefed the Indian President on Laos’ socio-economic development and the objectives of his visit.
He also expressed appreciation for India’s continued support, particularly through training scholarships, human resource development programmes and assistance in sectors such as education, agriculture, energy and national defence.
He thanked the Indian government for its support for the restoration of the UNESCO World Heritage site, the ancient Vat Phou temple complex, from 2018 to 2028, as well as for concessional development loans provided to Laos.
The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral cooperation as they mark 70 years of diplomatic relations and look towards new opportunities for partnership in the future.
The visit also featured activities marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Laos and India, established on February 2, 1956.
During the Joint Commission Meeting, the two sides jointly unveiled a commemorative emblem celebrating 70 years of friendship and cooperation between Laos and India.
To mark the occasion, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Anouparb Vongnorkeo, represented the Lao government at the opening of a Laos-India photo exhibition in New Delhi alongside senior officials from India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
The exhibition highlights key milestones in bilateral relations and exchanges between the two countries over the past seven decades.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update June 5, 2026)