PM Modi arrives in Laos to attend India-ASEAN, East Asia summits

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (October 10, 2024) said he looked forward to deliberations with world leaders as he arrived in Laos for a two-day visit to attend the India-ASEAN and East Asia Summits. East.

Mr. Modi is visiting Lao PDR at the invitation of Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.

Laos is the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), founded in 1967.

Read also | India-ASEAN friendship important in times of conflict and tension in the world: PM Modi

Mr. Modi was given a traditional welcome at the airport by Lao PDR Interior Minister Vilaywong Buddhakham, while some time later, in the hotel lobby, members of the Indian diaspora greeted him. greeted with cheerful slogans. He also interacted with community members.

Landed in Lao PDR. Awaiting deliberations with various world leaders, Mr. Modi posted on X after arriving there.

During his visit, Mr. Modi will participate in the 21st India-ASEAN Summit and the 19th East Asia Summit.

Later, Mr. Modi attended “Phralak Phralam”, the Laotian Ramayan performance. According to their website (http://phralakphralam.com/), the Lao Ramayana differs from the original Indian version. It arrived in Laos late, around the 16th century, brought by Buddhist missions.

In his departure statement in New Delhi, Mr. Modi noted that India this year marks a decade of Act East policy.

“I will join ASEAN leaders to review the progress made 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 challenges to peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, he said.

Mr. Modi said India shares close cultural and civilizational ties with the region, particularly with the Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR), which is enriched by a common heritage of Buddhism and the Ramayana.

I look forward to my meetings with Lao PDR leaders to further strengthen our bilateral relations, he said.

He added, “This is a special year as we celebrate a decade of our Act East policy, which has brought substantial benefits to our nation. There will also be various bilateral meetings and interactions with various world leaders during this visit.”

The ASEAN member states are Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, India, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Brunei Darussalam.

The East Asia Summit brings together the 10 ASEAN countries and eight partners: Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Russia and the UNITED STATES. Timor-Leste has observer status with the EAS.

PM Modi receives blessings from Buddhist monks in Laos

Mr. Modi witnessed a captivating performance of the Lao adaptation of Ramayan which reflects the common heritage and centuries-old civilizational bond between India and Laos.

Prime Minister @narendramodi witnessed a captivating performance of Lao Ramayana, known as Phalak Phalam or Phra Lak Phra Ram. This unique interpretation of the Ramayan reflects the deep cultural ties and common heritage between India and Lao PDR, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in an article on X.

Vijaya Dashami is a few days away and today in Lao PDR I saw part of the Lao Ramayana, highlighting Prabhu Shri Ram's victory over Ravan. It is heartening to see people here staying in touch with the Ramayan. May the blessings of Prabhu Shri Ram always remain upon us! Mr. Modi posted on X.

He also shared on his social media account some glimpses of the memorable episode of Phalak Phalam or Phra Lak Phra Ram that he witnessed in Lao PDR.

Several dignitaries including the Minister of Interior, Minister of Education and Sports, Governor of the Bank of Lao PDR and Mayor of Vientiane were present on the occasion.

A shared heritage and tradition bringing the two countries closer… The spectacle was an exquisite demonstration of the rich and shared ties between India and Laos, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in an article on X.

Ramayan continues to be celebrated in Laos, and the epic reflects the common heritage and centuries-old civilizational bond between the two countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

Several facets of Indian culture and traditions have been practiced and preserved in Laos for centuries. The two countries work closely together to showcase their common heritage, the statement said.

Earlier, Mr. Modi participated in a blessing ceremony by senior Buddhist monks of the Central Buddhist Fellowship Organization of Lao PDR, led by Mahaveth Masenai, the revered abbot of Si Saket Temple in Vientiane.

I met with respected monks and spiritual leaders from Lao PDR, happy to see the honor bestowed on Pali by the people of India. I am grateful to them for their blessings, Mr. Modi posted on X.

Monks and spiritual leaders expressed joy over India's decision to grant classical language status to Pali, his office said.

The shared Buddhist heritage represents another facet of the close civilizational ties between India and Laos, the MEA said.

Mr. Modi also attended an exhibition on the restoration and conservation of the Vat Phou temple complex carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India in Laos.

Deepen the cultural connection! India is proud to work closely with Lao PDR to conserve and restore various heritage sites, including the Vat Phou complex, Mr Modi posted on X.

The Archaeological Survey of India is involved in the restoration of the Vat Phou temple and associated monuments in Laos.

Vat Phou: a symbol of the close civilizational ties and heritage between India and Laos. The Archaeological Survey of India has undertaken exceptional work for the restoration and conservation of Vat Phou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Laos, Mr Jaiswal said.