Lao PDR
India and Lao PDR share long-standing civilizational, cultural, and people-to-people linkages going back long into history. India was Chairman of the International Commission for Supervision and Control (ICSC) on Indo-China. Lao PDR and India have also stood together on major issues of regional and international concern, in particular, the legitimate developmental concerns of developing countries. Lao PDR is a part of India’s extended neighbourhood and thus an integral part of engagement under India’s Act East Policy with ASEAN at its core.
Cooperation to tackle the challenge of COVID-19 Pandemic
- A consignment of medicines and medical supplies gifted by India to Lao PDR on 4 August 2020 to support the fight of Lao PDR against the COVID-19 pandemic. Govt. of India also donated 50,000 doses of made in India Covovax vaccine to Lao PDR in March 2023.
- On 12 June 2020, Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi spoke on phone with Dr. Thongloun Sisoulith, the then Honourable Prime Minister of Lao PDR. The two leaders exchanged views on the health and economic challenges posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic. Prime Minister reiterated India’s commitment to continue its development partnership with Lao PDR, a valued partner in India’s extended neighbourhood
Capacity Building & Other Exchanges
- The Government of India has been providing scholarships annually to Lao nationals under various schemes. Under ITEC, Government of India provides short-term and a few long-term training courses in various areas to Lao nationals (government officials/nominees); so far about 1500 Lao nationals have been trained under ITEC. Fully-funded scholarships to Lao students for pursuing undergraduate, postgraduate and Ph.D. degrees are also awarded by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
- The LIEDC (Lao-India Entrepreneurship Development Centre) set up in November 2004, trains Lao entrepreneurs for setting up small and medium scale business. It has so far trained more than 15000 individuals.
- The LICELT [Lao India Centre for English Language Training] set up in National University of Lao PDR, Vientiane provided assistance for human resource development.
- India set up an IT centre in Vientiane in November 2004, as well as a National Data Centre in May 2006. Ten Rural Telecommunication Centers were set up.
- The Centre for Excellence in Software Development and Training (CESDT) was inaugurated in Vientiane in November, 2018. So far, CESDT has imparted training to around 250 participants in different courses from different organizations of Lao PDR including government officials.
Development Cooperation (Grants/ LoCs/ Assistance)
- LoCs worth USD 236.23 million have been extended/offered to Laos (USD 72.4 million under signing process) for irrigation schemes, power transmission and distribution, and solar and hydroelectric projects.
- US$ 10 million for 115 KV Transmission Line from Ban-Na in Champassak Province to Attapeu– completed in 2006
- US$ 33 million LOC for (a) Equipment for rural electrification, (b) Pakson-Jaingxai- Bangyo Transmission Line and (c) Nam Song 7.5 MW Hydropower Project – completed in 2009, 2010 and 2012 respectively.
- US$ 17.34 million LOC for Irrigation schemes in Champassak Province: comprising 3 components: (a) Conversion of diesel to electric driven pump sets & improvement of 3 pumping stations, (b) installation of ten large pump sets and (c) six large irrigation schemes (2009) – completed in 2015.
- LoC of USD 72.55 million was extended to Lao PDR in 2010 for (a) 230 KV Double Circuit Transmission Line from Nabong to Thabok and substations has been completed (USD 34.68 million) (b) Balance part of LoC for Improvement and Expansion of 22KV Distribution Line in Vientiane Capital City Branches Project - discussions are underway for implementation.
- US$ 30.94 million LOC for irrigation projects – One component i.e. conversion and commissioning of diesel driven pumps into electric pumps completed in August 2019 (US$ 7.38 million). At present, work on Nam Xang storage dam project to irrigate 1,050 hectares, as also solar irrigation pumps project, under Indian Lines of Credit is going ahead. Other components are under discussion with Government of Lao PDR.
Special Endeavour: Heritage Restoration
- Archaeological Survey of India has been working on the restoration of the UNESCO world heritage site at Vat Phou, an ancient Shiva Temple. This year marks 15 years of painstaking restoration and conservation work on the ground at Vat Phou by the ASI. The work on the Phase-1 of restoration project began in June 2009. Eight seasons of restoration work in Phase-1 were completed in May 2017. The restoration project is currently in its second phase which commenced in November 2018 and will last till 2027. At present, four-member team from the ASI is undertaking the restoration work.
.png)
Quick Impact Projects (QIPs)
- Under the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) Framework, India provides grant assistance for implementation of short gestation projects that could directly benefits local communities. So far, MoUs on 16 projects have been signed. MoUs for five Quick Impact Projects, in the fields of education, health, water facility and IT were signed in July 2023. Out of these 16 projects, 11 projects have been completed and five projects are under implementation. Under MGC framework, more than 30 officials have attended training in various fields in India.
