New Delhi, June 3 (IANS) Laos Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thongsavan Phomvihane said on Wednesday that India and Laos should continue to chart their future direction that brings tangible benefit to both nations.

In his opening remarks at the 10th India-Laos Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) in New Delhi on Wednesday, Phomvihane stated that his meeting with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar provides an opportunity to two nations to take stock of progress and achievements in bilateral cooperation since the ninth JCM in Vientiane. He expressed gratitude to EAM Jaishankar for the warm welcome extended to him and his delegation during their stay in India.

“It is my great honour and privilege to lead our delegation on this official visit in the Republic of India for the first time and a co-chair 10th joint commission meeting on bilateral cooperation between our two countries. This truly reflects our longstanding friendship and good cooperation based on the longstanding history of culture, religious and people-to-people ties as well as a mutual trust and understanding between our two governments and peoples. This meeting provide an excellent opportunity for the two sides to take stock of progress and achievement in our bilateral cooperation since 9th JCM in Vientiane in 2018, almost eight years ago…This year, we should continue to chart our future direction that bring about tangible benefit to our two nations,” he stated in his opening remarks during the meeting.

Minister Phomvihane noted that his India visit is aimed to further strengthen ties between two nations across across all key sectors like political, social, economic, trade, country exchange and capacity building among others. He expressed gratitude to India for the assistance and support offered to Laos.

“I’m pleased to note that over the past 70 years our friendship and cooperation have continued and flourished highlighted by regular high-level exchange of visit, including the visit by your Prime Minister Modi and yourself in October 2024 when we…and this engagement underscores our strong bond and reaffirm our share commitments despite the current regional and global economic uncertainty and challenges.

“In this connection, the Government of Lao PDR highly appreciate and value the valuable assistance and continuous support from the government or the people of India both bilateral and within the regional and international frameworks including AEAN and United Nations. This multifaceted cooperation reflect a growing momentum reaching a new height,” Phomvihane mentioned.

He expressed confidence that his discussion with EAM Jaishankar will form an important step forward to ensure future cooperation between two nations.

–IANS

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