Vientiane, Laos:
Giving a boost to India’s Act East policy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a series of meetings in Laos, where the ASEAN-India and East Asia Summits are being held.
Prime Minister Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Laos at the invitation of his counterpart Sonexai Siphandone, was given a ceremonial guard of honor on his arrival. He also participated in a blessing ceremony by senior Buddhist monks from Laos.
Hundreds of members of the Indian community in Laos welcomed Prime Minister Modi on his arrival in Vientiane. The Prime Minister interacted with the diaspora, signed photographs and witnessed the Bihu dance that was performed to welcome him.
The welcome to Lao PDR was memorable! The Indian community is obviously very connected to their roots. They also delighted the local people who spoke Hindi and danced Bihu! Watch… pic.twitter.com/DqcTQmPdNK
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 10, 2024
ANCIENT CONNECTIONS
India and Laos share a common heritage and culture and the Prime Minister today witnessed an episode from the Lao Ramayana which is called Phalak Phalam or Phra Lak Phra Ram in Laos. The performance highlighted the rich and shared ties 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 Prabhu Sri Ram’s victory over Ravan. It is heartening to see people here keeping in touch with Ramayan. 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 Prabhu Sri Ram’s victory over Ravan. It is heartening to see how people here remain in touch with Ramayan. May the blessings of Prabhu Sri Ram always remain upon us! pic.twitter.com/BskmfMYBdm
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 10, 2024
The Ramayan has continued to be celebrated in Laos for centuries, reflecting the shared heritage and age-old civilizational link between the two nations. Many other aspects of Indian culture have also been practiced in the southeastern nation for centuries.
Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand are other nations primarily led by Theravada Buddhism that have many Ramayan traditions with Buddhist reinterpretations and adaptations.
It is noteworthy that Laos was known to the ancient Indians as “Suvarnabhumi” or “Land of Gold”.
According to historical records, when Ashoka waged war against Kalinga, several people moved to Suvarnabhumi and brought with them Hindu and Buddhist beliefs from across the seas.
The Lao Ramayan is believed to be deeply influenced by Valmik’s narrative and built on the template of Lao history and the way of life of the people.
FROM LOOK EAST TO ACT EAST
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced a 10-point plan to strengthen the India-ASEAN Comprehensive Partnership and said ties with the regional grouping are critical to steering Asia’s future.
Prime Minister Modi noted that India-ASEAN trade has doubled to over US$130 billion in the past decade and announced a review of the trade in goods agreement to tap the greater economic potential of the partnership.
“I believe that the 21st century – the Asian century – is the century of India and the ASEAN countries,” the Prime Minister said, addressing the leaders of the ASEAN countries, which include Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, Vietnam, Laos and Singapore.
It proposed ten proposals that would further deepen India’s friendship with ASEAN. pic.twitter.com/atAOAq6vrq
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 10, 2024
The Prime Minister said that India is marking the 10th anniversary of its Look East Policy, which has given new energy, direction and momentum to the historic relations between India and the ASEAN nations.
“The India-ASEAN Summit was productive. We discussed how to further strengthen the India-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. We look forward to deepening trade ties, cultural ties 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 marking 2025 as the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism, doubling the number of scholarships at Nalanda University and providing new scholarships for ASEAN students in agricultural universities in India.
PM Modi also announced the celebration of Act East policy decade through several people-oriented activities including Youth Summit, Startup Festival, Hackathon, Music Festival, ASEAN-India Think Tank Network and Delhi Dialogue.
REGIONAL TENSION
Prime Minister Modi today said India-ASEAN friendship is very important at a time when parts of the world are facing conflicts and tensions.
The India-ASEAN summit comes 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
Apart from 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 state from the member countries.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit highlights how ASEAN member states are a crucial part of India’s Act East policy. It also reflects New Delhi’s collaboration with allies and partners with a shared vision for the Indo-Pacific region.
The Prime Minister prioritized East and Southeast Asia with his vision for an initiative called SAGAR – Security and Growth for All in the Region.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Laos marks important anniversaries of India establishing diplomatic relations with several countries in the region – 75th with Indonesia, 75th with the Philippines, 60th with Singapore and 40th with Brunei.
