Vientiane, Laos:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented an array of intricately crafted gifts, showcasing India’s rich cultural heritage, to the leaders of Laos, Thailand, New Zealand, and Japan at the 21st India-ASEAN Summit, officials said.

Among the notable gifts, PM Modi gave New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon a pair of majestic silver lamps adorned with rubies from Maharashtra.

These gifts, which highlight India’s artistry and craftsmanship, also included a vintage brass Buddha statue with mina (enamel) work for Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, a Patan Patola scarf in a Sadeli box for Naly Sisoulith, the President’s spouse, a Kadamwood embossed Buddha head for Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, and a malachite and camel bone box featuring a Radha-Krishna theme for his spouse.

Kadamwood is known for its durability and intricate embossing.

The vintage brass Buddha statue, gifted to President Sisoulith, is a masterpiece of South Indian craftsmanship, originating from Tamil Nadu.

Crafted by skilled artisans, it symbolises the deep-rooted influence of Buddhist philosophy across Asia.

Naly Sisoulith received a Patan Patola scarf, a fine double ikat textile woven by the Salvi family in Patan, Gujarat. Known for its vibrant colours and intricate design, the scarf is a timeless representation of India’s ancient silk traditions, officials said.

For Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, PM Modi presented a low-height wooden table from Ladakh, a vibrant piece featuring intricate carvings that embody the cultural essence of the Himalayan region.

Meanwhile, Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba received a silver peacock figurine, crafted with detailed nakkashi (carving) work from West Bengal.

Each gift, embodying Indian craftsmanship, highlighted the deep cultural ties between India and the ASEAN nations, celebrating centuries of artistic heritage, the officials said. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Laos’ Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone at a meeting, in Vientiane, Laos on October 11, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Laos counterpart Sonexay Siphandone on Friday (October 11, 2024) held productive discussions aimed at further strengthening the ties between the two countries, including in key sectors like economic and defence.

Mr. Modi arrived on Thursday at the invitation of Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and also attended ASEAN-India and East Asia summits to further deepen engagement with countries in the groupings.

Mr. Modi also congratulated Laos PM on successfully hosting the 21st ASEAN-India and 19th East Asia Summits.

“Imparting new momentum to India-Laos partnership. PM @narendramodi and PM Sonexay Siphandone of Lao PDR held productive discussions aimed at further strengthening India-Laos ties, including in key sectors of cooperation such as heritage conservation & restoration, development partnership, capacity building, economic, defence, culture and people-to-people ties,” External Affairs Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X.

The two leaders also held productive talks on further strengthening India-Laos civilisational and contemporary ties. They discussed various areas of bilateral cooperation such as development partnership, capacity building, disaster management, renewable energy, heritage restoration, economic ties, defence collaboration, and people-to-people ties, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

Mr. Siphandone thanked Mr. Modi’s flood relief assistance provided to Lao PDR in the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi.

The two leaders noted that the ongoing restoration and conservation of Vat Phou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, under Indian assistance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) imparts a special dimension to bilateral ties, the statement said.

Mr. Modi and Mr. Siphandone also expressed satisfaction at the close cooperation between the countries in regional and multilateral fora.

Prime Minister Siphandone reaffirmed India’s role on the international stage. India has strongly supported Laos PDR’s Chairmanship of ASEAN for 2024, the statement said.

Following the talks, MoUs/Agreements in the fields of defence, broadcasting, Customs cooperation, and three Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) under the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation were exchanged in the presence of the two leaders.

The QIPs relate to the preservation of the heritage of Laos Ramayan, the restoration of Wat Pakea Buddhist temple with murals related to Ramayan, and support to shadow puppetry theatre on Ramayan in Champasak province.

All three QIPs have a Government of India grant assistance of about $50000 each, the MEA statement said.

India will also provide a grant assistance of about $1 million to improve nutrition security in Laos PDR. This assistance through the India U.N. Development Partnership Fund will be the Fund’s first such project in South-East Asia.

Mr. Modi also met Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith on Friday and conveyed commitment to further deepen the close partnership between the two countries.

“PM @narendramodi met President Thongloun Sisoulith of Lao PDR in Vientiane today. Underscoring the historical India-Lao civilizational ties, prime minister conveyed our commitment to further deepen the close partnership between the two countries,” Mr. Jaiswal said in a post on X.

Vientiane, Laos:

PM Modi today attended the 21st ASEAN-India Summit in Laos. At the summit, PM Modi also announced a 10-point plan to strengthen ASEAN-India comprehensive partnership and asserted that ties with the regional grouping were critical for Asia’s future.

Vientiane, Laos:

PM Modi today attended the 21st ASEAN-India Summit in Laos. At the summit, PM Modi also announced a 10-point plan to strengthen ASEAN-India comprehensive partnership and asserted that ties with the regional grouping were critical for Asia’s future.

Vientiane, Laos:

Giving impetus to India’s ‘Act East’ policy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a series of meetings in Laos, which is where the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits are being held.

PM Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Laos on the invitation extended by his counterpart Sonexay Siphandone, was given a ceremonial Guard of Honour upon his arrival. He also participated in a blessing ceremony by senior Buddhist monks of Laos.

Hundreds of members from the Indian community in Laos welcomed PM Modi upon his arrival in Vientiane. The prime minister spoke with the diaspora, signed photographs and witnessed the Bihu dance being performed to welcome him.

The welcome in Lao PDR was memorable! The Indian community is clearly very connected with their roots. Also gladdening was the local people speaking in Hindi and doing a Bihu dance! Do watch… pic.twitter.com/DqcTQmPdNK

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 10, 2024

ANCIENT TIES

India and Laos have a shared heritage and culture and the prime minister today witnessed an episode of Lao Ramayana, which is called Phalak Phalam or Phra Lak Phra Ram in Laos. The performance highlighted the rich and shared links between the two nations.

“Vijaya Dashami is a few days away and today in Lao PDR, I saw a part of the Lao Ramayana, highlighting the victory of Prabhu Shri Ram over Ravan. It is heartening to see the people here remain in touch with the Ramayan. May the blessings of Prabhu Shri Ram always remain upon us!,” PM Modi wrote on social media platform X.

Vijaya Dashami is a few days away and today in Lao PDR, I saw a part of the Lao Ramayana, highlighting the victory of Prabhu Shri Ram over Ravan. It is heartening to see the people here remain in touch with the Ramayan. May the blessings of Prabhu Shri Ram always remain upon us! pic.twitter.com/BskmfMYBdm

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 10, 2024

Ramayan continues to be celebrated in Laos for centuries, reflecting the shared heritage and age-old civilisational connection between the two nations. Many other facets of Indian culture were also practised in the Southeastern nation for centuries.

Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand are other nations, predominantly led by Theravada Buddhism have many Ramayan traditions with Buddhist reinterpretations and adaptations.

Notably, Laos was known to ancient Indians as the ‘Suvarnabhumi’ or the ‘Land of Gold’.

As per historical records, when Ashoka waged a war against Kalinga, several people moved to Suvarnabhumi and brought with them Hindu and Buddhist beliefs from across the seas.

Laotian Ramayan is believed to be deeply influenced by the Valmikian narrative and is built on the template of Lao’s history and ways of life of the people.

FROM ‘LOOK EAST’ TO ‘ACT EAST’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced a 10-point plan to strengthen India-ASEAN comprehensive partnership and asserted that ties with the regional grouping were critical to guiding Asia’s future.

PM Modi noted that India-ASEAN trade had doubled to over USD 130 billion in the past decade and announced a review of the trade in goods agreement to harness the greater economic potential of the partnership.

“I believe that the 21st century – the Asian century – is the century of India and ASEAN nations,” the Prime Minister said while addressing the leaders of the ASEAN nations that include Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, Vietnam, Laos and Singapore.

Proposed ten suggestions which will further deepen India’s friendship with ASEAN. pic.twitter.com/atAOAq6vrq

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 10, 2024

The Prime Minister said India was commemorating the 10th anniversary of its Act East Policy, which has given new energy, direction and momentum to the historic relationship between India and the ASEAN nations.

“The India-ASEAN Summit was a productive one. We discussed how to further strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and ASEAN. We look forward to deepening trade ties, cultural linkages and cooperation in technology, connectivity and other such sectors,” PM Modi said in a post on X.

The 10-point plan to further strengthen the India-ASEAN partnership includes celebrating the year 2025 as the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism, doubling the number of scholarships at Nalanda University and providing new grants for ASEAN students at Agricultural Universities in India.

Prime Minister Modi also announced celebrating the decade of Act East Policy through several people-centric activities including Youth Summit, Start-up Festival, Hackathon, Music Festival, ASEAN-India Network of Think-Tanks and Delhi Dialogue.

REGIONAL TENSIONS

PM Modi today said the India-ASEAN friendship was very important at a time when parts of the world were facing conflicts and tensions.

The India-ASEAN Summit is taking place at a time when the region is witnessing tensions between the Philippines and China over maritime issues in the South China Sea and the crisis in Myanmar, where ethnic groups are battling the military regime.

WHAT ELSE IS PLANNED

Besides the 21st ASEAN-India summit, the prime minister will also attend the 19th East Asia Summit. He will also hold several bilateral meetings with heads of states from member countries.

PM Modi’s visit underscores how the ASEAN member countries are a crucial part of India’s ‘Act East’ policy. It also reflects New Delhi’s cooperation with allies and partners with a common vision of the Indo-Pacific region.

The prime minister has prioritised east and southeast Asia with his vision for an initiative called SAGAR – Security And Growth for All in the Region.

PM Modi’s visit to Laos marks important anniversaries of the establishment of India’s diplomatic relations with several countries in the region – 75th with Indonesia, 75th with the Philippines, 60th with Singapore and 40th with Brunei.
 

Vientiane, Laos:

Giving impetus to India’s ‘Act East’ policy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a series of meetings in Laos, which is where the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits are being held.

PM Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Laos on the invitation extended by his counterpart Sonexay Siphandone, was given a ceremonial Guard of Honour upon his arrival. He also participated in a blessing ceremony by senior Buddhist monks of Laos.

Hundreds of members from the Indian community in Laos welcomed PM Modi upon his arrival in Vientiane. The prime minister spoke with the diaspora, signed photographs and witnessed the Bihu dance being performed to welcome him.

The welcome in Lao PDR was memorable! The Indian community is clearly very connected with their roots. Also gladdening was the local people speaking in Hindi and doing a Bihu dance! Do watch… pic.twitter.com/DqcTQmPdNK

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 10, 2024

ANCIENT TIES

India and Laos have a shared heritage and culture and the prime minister today witnessed an episode of Lao Ramayana, which is called Phalak Phalam or Phra Lak Phra Ram in Laos. The performance highlighted the rich and shared links between the two nations.

“Vijaya Dashami is a few days away and today in Lao PDR, I saw a part of the Lao Ramayana, highlighting the victory of Prabhu Shri Ram over Ravan. It is heartening to see the people here remain in touch with the Ramayan. May the blessings of Prabhu Shri Ram always remain upon us!,” PM Modi wrote on social media platform X.

Vijaya Dashami is a few days away and today in Lao PDR, I saw a part of the Lao Ramayana, highlighting the victory of Prabhu Shri Ram over Ravan. It is heartening to see the people here remain in touch with the Ramayan. May the blessings of Prabhu Shri Ram always remain upon us! pic.twitter.com/BskmfMYBdm

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 10, 2024

Ramayan continues to be celebrated in Laos for centuries, reflecting the shared heritage and age-old civilisational connection between the two nations. Many other facets of Indian culture were also practised in the Southeastern nation for centuries.

Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand are other nations, predominantly led by Theravada Buddhism have many Ramayan traditions with Buddhist reinterpretations and adaptations.

Notably, Laos was known to ancient Indians as the ‘Suvarnabhumi’ or the ‘Land of Gold’.

As per historical records, when Ashoka waged a war against Kalinga, several people moved to Suvarnabhumi and brought with them Hindu and Buddhist beliefs from across the seas.

Laotian Ramayan is believed to be deeply influenced by the Valmikian narrative and is built on the template of Lao’s history and ways of life of the people.

FROM ‘LOOK EAST’ TO ‘ACT EAST’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced a 10-point plan to strengthen India-ASEAN comprehensive partnership and asserted that ties with the regional grouping were critical to guiding Asia’s future.

PM Modi noted that India-ASEAN trade had doubled to over USD 130 billion in the past decade and announced a review of the trade in goods agreement to harness the greater economic potential of the partnership.

“I believe that the 21st century – the Asian century – is the century of India and ASEAN nations,” the Prime Minister said while addressing the leaders of the ASEAN nations that include Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, Vietnam, Laos and Singapore.

Proposed ten suggestions which will further deepen India’s friendship with ASEAN. pic.twitter.com/atAOAq6vrq

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 10, 2024

The Prime Minister said India was commemorating the 10th anniversary of its Act East Policy, which has given new energy, direction and momentum to the historic relationship between India and the ASEAN nations.

“The India-ASEAN Summit was a productive one. We discussed how to further strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and ASEAN. We look forward to deepening trade ties, cultural linkages and cooperation in technology, connectivity and other such sectors,” PM Modi said in a post on X.

The 10-point plan to further strengthen the India-ASEAN partnership includes celebrating the year 2025 as the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism, doubling the number of scholarships at Nalanda University and providing new grants for ASEAN students at Agricultural Universities in India.

Prime Minister Modi also announced celebrating the decade of Act East Policy through several people-centric activities including Youth Summit, Start-up Festival, Hackathon, Music Festival, ASEAN-India Network of Think-Tanks and Delhi Dialogue.

REGIONAL TENSIONS

PM Modi today said the India-ASEAN friendship was very important at a time when parts of the world were facing conflicts and tensions.

The India-ASEAN Summit is taking place at a time when the region is witnessing tensions between the Philippines and China over maritime issues in the South China Sea and the crisis in Myanmar, where ethnic groups are battling the military regime.

WHAT ELSE IS PLANNED

Besides the 21st ASEAN-India summit, the prime minister will also attend the 19th East Asia Summit. He will also hold several bilateral meetings with heads of states from member countries.

PM Modi’s visit underscores how the ASEAN member countries are a crucial part of India’s ‘Act East’ policy. It also reflects New Delhi’s cooperation with allies and partners with a common vision of the Indo-Pacific region.

The prime minister has prioritised east and southeast Asia with his vision for an initiative called SAGAR – Security And Growth for All in the Region.

PM Modi’s visit to Laos marks important anniversaries of the establishment of India’s diplomatic relations with several countries in the region – 75th with Indonesia, 75th with the Philippines, 60th with Singapore and 40th with Brunei.
 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi. File photo
| Photo Credit: ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (October 10, 2024) expressed confidence that his visit to Laos to attend the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits will further deepen engagement with ASEAN countries.

In his departure statement, Mr. Modi noted that India is marking a decade of Act East policy this year.

“I will join the ASEAN leaders to review progress in our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and chart the future direction of our cooperation,” the Prime Minister said.

The East Asia Summit will provide an opportunity to deliberate on the challenges to peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, he said.

Mr. Modi said India shared close cultural and civilisation ties with the region, including with Lao PDR, which are enriched by a shared heritage of Buddhism and Ramayana.

“I look forward to my meetings with the Lao PDR leadership to further strengthen our bilateral ties,” he said.

Mr. Modi is visiting Lao PDR at the invitation of Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone to participate in the 21st ASEAN-India and the 19th East Asia summits.

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin his two-day official visit to Laos in southeast Asia to attend the annual ASEAN-India Summit. He will also attend the East Asia Summit as New Delhi’s Act East policy gains momentum.

PM Modi will arrive in Laos’s capital Vientiane on the invite of his counterpart Sonexay Siphandone, who is the current chair for the Association of South East Asian Nations or ASEAN.

Besides the 21st ASEAN-India summit and the 19th East Asia Summit, the prime minister will also hold several bilateral meetings with heads of states from member countries.

PM Modi’s visit on October 10-11 will highlight how the ASEAN member countries are a crucial part of India’s ‘Act East’ policy. It will also underscore New Delhi’s cooperation with allies and partners with a common vision of the Indo-Pacific region.

The prime minister has prioritised east and southeast Asia with his vision for an initiative called SAGAR – Security And Growth for All in the Region.

Speaking about the prime minister’s visit to Laos, the Ministry of External Affairs said, “The ASEAN-India Summit will review progress of India-ASEAN relations through our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and chart the future direction of cooperation. The East Asia Summit, a premier leaders-led forum that contributes to building an environment of strategic trust in the region, provides an opportunity for leaders of EAS Participating Countries, including India, to exchange views on issues of regional importance.”

2024 marks a decade of India’s Act East Policy and during this decade, the engagements have grown from stronger people-to-people connections to robust cooperation in trade and investment, defence and security, and connectivity including fin-tech, heritage conservation and capacity building.

It also marks important anniversaries of the establishment of India’s diplomatic relations with several countries in the region – 75th with Indonesia, 75th with the Philippines, 60th with Singapore and 40th with Brunei.
 

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin his two-day official visit to Laos in southeast Asia to attend the annual ASEAN-India Summit. He will also attend the East Asia Summit as New Delhi’s Act East policy gains momentum.

PM Modi will arrive in Laos’s capital Vientiane on the invite of his counterpart Sonexay Siphandone, who is the current chair for the Association of South East Asian Nations or ASEAN.

Besides the 21st ASEAN-India summit and the 19th East Asia Summit, the prime minister will also hold several bilateral meetings with heads of states from member countries.

PM Modi’s visit on October 10-11 will highlight how the ASEAN member countries are a crucial part of India’s ‘Act East’ policy. It will also underscore New Delhi’s cooperation with allies and partners with a common vision of the Indo-Pacific region.

The prime minister has prioritised east and southeast Asia with his vision for an initiative called SAGAR – Security And Growth for All in the Region.

Speaking about the prime minister’s visit to Laos, the Ministry of External Affairs said, “The ASEAN-India Summit will review progress of India-ASEAN relations through our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and chart the future direction of cooperation. The East Asia Summit, a premier leaders-led forum that contributes to building an environment of strategic trust in the region, provides an opportunity for leaders of EAS Participating Countries, including India, to exchange views on issues of regional importance.”

2024 marks a decade of India’s Act East Policy and during this decade, the engagements have grown from stronger people-to-people connections to robust cooperation in trade and investment, defence and security, and connectivity including fin-tech, heritage conservation and capacity building.

It also marks important anniversaries of the establishment of India’s diplomatic relations with several countries in the region – 75th with Indonesia, 75th with the Philippines, 60th with Singapore and 40th with Brunei.
 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi. File photo
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a two-day visit to Laos on October 10 and 11 during which he will attend the 21st ASEAN-India Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday (October 8, 2024).

Laos is the current chair of ASEAN.

Watch: India’s ASEAN outreach | Importance of PM Modi’s SE Asia visit

On the invitation of his Laos counterpart Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister Modi will visit Vientiane on October 10-11, the MEA said in a statement.

During the visit, Mr. Modi will attend the 21st ASEAN-India Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit being hosted by Laos as the current chair of ASEAN, it said.

Mr.Modi is also expected to hold bilateral meetings on the margins of the two summits, according to the MEA.

“India is marking a decade of the Act East Policy this year. Relations with ASEAN are a central pillar of the Act East Policy and our Indo-Pacific vision,” the MEA said.

The ASEAN-India Summit will review the progress of India-ASEAN relations through “our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” and chart the future direction of cooperation.

“The East Asia Summit, a premier leaders-led forum that contributes to building an environment of strategic trust in the region, provides an opportunity for leaders of EAS Participating Countries, including India, to exchange views on issues of regional importance,” the Ministry said.